WO2016015070A1 - Restrictive spine protector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a protector for protecting in particular the spinal column (2.1; 2.1.2) of a person (1.5) against excessive deflections. According to the invention, one or a plurality of overlapping, preferably s- or z-shaped adjustable connecting elements (1.2; 2.2) is provided. The individual connection elements (2.2) are coupled with textile or other sufficiently stretch-resistant and tear-proof materials (2.2.1; 2.2.4; 2.3; 1.3) which are relieved within the set range of movement and are stretched when the range is exceeded, whereby said protector does not cause any restriction within a specific adjustable range, for example the physiological, anatomical maximum range, but blocks and thus further prevents any deflections if these boundaries are exceeded.

Description

 Restrictive spinal column protector

The invention relates to a device for protecting the spine of a person, consisting of one or

several overlapping, preferably z-shaped

Connecting elements, in particular between the thorax and hip attachment, which are connected with adjustable textile or other sufficiently extensible materials such that they are relieved within the physiologically normal or adjustable range of motion and tightened when exceeding this limit, whereby the protector in the normal or set range of motion no Restriction caused, but blocked in excess, thus preventing further deflections and protects the spine from overloading and thus injury.

Back protectors are known in various designs from the prior art and serve exclusively to protect against beating against the back, which can cause spinal injuries. Out

From a medical-epidemiological point of view, it is clear that so-called back protectors have a very low efficiency against spinal fractures. The majority of severe back injuries are due to transgressions of the physiological range of motion of the spine. This is in medicine between so-called "compression fractures (Type A), distraction fractures (type B) and

Rotational fractures (type C) ".

It should be noted that type A spinal cord injury increases statistically to type C.

In the course of internal biomechanical research on the analysis of spine deflection on the back, the following findings were found, which are decisive for the present invention:

In the human body, the axis of rotation lies in the spinal column and thus does not coincide with the axis of rotation of conventional protectors having fixed pivot points. In addition, the ideal shifts

Fulcrum motion-dependent in flexion (backward motion), lateral flexion (sideways curvature) and

Extension (extension to the rear) clearly. fixe

Fulcrums can thus only a best possible

Compromise.

In addition, such pivot points outside the spinal column axis are considered to be extremely problematic because they absorb the absorbed forces in the form of a

Shear movement back into the spine, which can lead to horizontal shear and related to the transection of the vertebral body vertically running spinal cord. (Figure 5)

In the subject invention, such fixed external pivot points are avoided by parallel to the skin surface connecting elements of the protector (Connecting elements) with the corresponding

Body section are connected as rigidly as possible.

Due to the fact that the axis of rotation of the spinal column is approximately 8 cm from the back surface inwards, in the outer planes parallel to the dorsal surface mainly translational movements or in case of blockage shearing forces occur. In the case of conventional systems pivot points can be generated at the stop points, which should be avoided so that no

Shear forces on the spine.

In the course of the patent search, the following patents were considered:

US2008 / 0021357A1; DE3533816C2; FR2818510; DE102005 061582A1; US2004 / 0193085A1; WO2008 / 132699;

DE19543566A1; WO2007 / 113601A2; ÜS6,071,257; ÜS664,250

A technically plausible solution for connecting the hip and pelvis is described in the patent DE 102010005939 AI.

In the back protector described in DE 19543566 C2 it is provided that the back protector extends through a plurality of along the spine

Segments is mechanically connected. By a particular embodiment of this protector, the abutting members should be rotatable about their longitudinal axis to each other, resulting in a change in length of the

Link chain leads to the bias of the tension element counteracts. The patent also describes a connection to the skull. Apart from the fact that this patent is characterized by mechanical stops, this approach is from a medical point of view

Extremely questionable, since introduced into the protector forces through the outsourced axis of rotation in one

Shear motion can be diverted to the spine, which in turn can lead to type C fractures.

The same applies to the patent WO 2008 / 132699A2 in which by mechanical attacks Although the elongation of the back surface in the flexion (forward flexion) of the spine can be compensated, but it comes to rotational movements, is displaced by the outwardly displaced fulcrum of the spine

Rotational motion again in a horizontal

Shear motion redirected to the spine. Also, the patent US 2008 / 0021357A1 has integrated pivot points that initiate shear forces in the spine under extreme load again. Patent WO 2007 / 113601A2 describes only a textile spinal cover for heating the back surface or for cooling by means of heat sinks. US 6,071,257 also describes only a therapeutic massage application for the treatment of the spinal region.

The technical problem of the invention is accordingly to be defined medically in the region of the spinal column Accident mechanisms consisting of transgressions of the physiological deflections, ideally also to protect against blows. Especially because the

Excessive movement (type B, C) of the spine during hyperflexion or rotation is prevented in order to protect against spinal fractures and paraplegia. This is done by connecting elements that are not connected via fixed pivot points, but with textile or other sufficiently stretch and tear resistant materials are coupled together. It is advantageous if the connecting elements are spherically shaped, so that they form-fitting or

can slide on each other.

To solve this problem, so between the three possible attachment points of the spine

 (Skull, thorax and pelvis) and their adjacent limbs the fasteners described

used. The fasteners follow the

Movements of the spine on the back, without

Shear forces form and block their movements based on defined, adjustable stops. By connecting the individual connecting elements by means of woven or knitted fabric, the connection can be carried out with a hook-and-loop fastener which receives the forces by means of a shear load. These

Velcro connection between the

Connecting elements allows a stepless,

customizable adjustment of the deflection paths. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Showing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective illustration of the

protective person (1.5), equipped with the

spinal cord protector according to the invention

Connection points to the body, consisting of the known from the prior art head connection in the form of a crash helmet (1.1), the thorax connection (1.4) and the hip connection (1.6). In between are each the

Connecting elements (1.2) with the textile hinges (hinges) (1.3) shown.

Fig. 2 shows a Saggitalschnitt along the

Pre-bent spine (flexion) (2.1) - and the back-stretched spine (extension) (2.1.2).

By way of example, in each case also 3 interconnected connecting elements (2.2) of the protector with

integrated tape or rope connections shown in section. The arrows indicate that

Movement directions of the spine.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view (A) according to the connecting elements (2.2) marked in FIG. 2, in the forward diffraction. It can be seen that the outward swept band (2.2.1) absorbs the occurring load by stretching, whereas the inner band (2.2.4) the elongating

Translational movement (extension of the dorsal surface) of the flexion to, front compensates. The

Connecting elements (2.2) slide along the dome-shaped rolling surfaces (4.0).

FIG. 4 shows the detail view (B) of the extension movement of the spinal column (extension to the rear) marked according to FIG. It can be seen that the outer band (2.2.1) is relieved and the inner band (2.2.4) the forces through

Tension absorbs and the lifting of the

Prevents connecting elements (2.2). The

Connecting elements (2.2) are along the

dome-shaped rolling surface (4.0) together and are based on the stop surfaces (2.2.5) from.

5 shows a section through the transverse plane (C) of the spinal column (2.1, 2.1.2) according to the sectional plane indicated in FIG. In this view, the translational movement of the protector upon rotation of two vertebral bodies (2.6) is visible to each other. The two connecting elements (2.2) move through the dome-shaped rolling surface (4.0) to the pivot point (P) of the spine (2.1, 2.1.2), the limiting bands (2.3) absorb the force occurring when too strong rotation by tensile forces. 6 shows a perspective view of the connecting elements (1.2) in the respective

Combination movements, it being apparent that the rotation and the lateral flexion movement are limited by the lateral bands (1.3) and the stop surface (2.2.5).

Fig. 7 shows two connecting elements (1.2) at

extensive flexion without ligaments to visualize the dome-shaped gliding surface (4.0). Furthermore, the variant with the curved stop surfaces (2.2.5) is shown. This version allows the combination with the extreme extension

 Lateral flexion. This may be beneficial in certain applications (therapy).

Fig. 8-13 show embodiments that prevent or limit the lifting of the connecting elements (2.2) to each other.

Fig. 8 shows in detail view (A) another embodiment of Figure 3-5, in the two

Connecting elements (2.2) guided by a groove (5.3) and spring guide (5.0) and by integrated band or cable connection (2.2.1), (2.2.4)

are connected. The groove (5.3) and spring guide (5.0) can be selected in a distal or proximal orientation. By defining the fit of both elements to each other, so can an additional Stiffening against bending and twisting can be achieved.

FIG. 9 shows the mechanism described in FIG. 8 according to detail (C) indicated in FIG. Does tongue and groove a game (5.3, 5.0), arises

Freedom of movement. If the spring (5.0) tapers differently at the ends, then the play in the

Rotation levels are adjusted. Corresponds to the

thickest point (5.1) of the spring (5.0) of the groove width, for example by a spherical cap or a

Cylinder section, so the lifting of the

Connection elements (2.2) prevented at the same time possible rotation.

Fig. 10 shows an alternative mechanism in the detail view (A) to Figure 8, in which case a positive connection by a bolt (6.0) with preferably

dome-shaped sliding washer (6.1) is used. The connection (6.0) may be a bolt, pin, dowel, screw but also flexible, rigid or stretchable material such as a rope, which is screwed into the connecting element (2.2), glued or fitted. The elements (6.0; 6.1) and (2.2) can also be made from one piece. The

Disc (6.1) can be made of a rigid or flexible material, the latter with or without bias

be executed. To the shift of

To allow fasteners is in

Connecting element (2.2) a correspondingly large Opening (6.2) placed. The arrangement can also be inverted, that is to say the opening (6.2) can be mounted in the other connecting element (2.2).

Fig. 11 shows the connecting element (2.2), with the disc (6.1) and bolt (6.0) in the

Perspective view.

Fig. 12 shows a stocking-like flexible fabric

 (6.5), which is pulled over several connecting elements (2.2) and thereby lifting the

Connecting elements (2.2) prevents each other.

13 shows an embodiment of a connecting element (2.2) in which one or more clasp or corset-like sheaths (6.6) in the sliding area around the connecting elements (2.2)

are arranged. These can be connected to one another and to the envelope of the neighboring sliding pair via a differently stretchable, stocking-like hose construction, as shown in FIG. This clamp (6.6) can also be part of a connecting element (2.2). The width of the bracket (6.6) depends on the desired displacement range.

Claims

claims 1. protector to protect in particular the Spine (2.1, 2.1.2) of a person (1.5) characterized by excessive deflections, characterized in that one or more overlapping, preferably s or z-shaped adjustable connecting elements (1.2; 2.2) connect shoulder and hip area preferably on the back of the body, said individual fasteners (2.2) with textile or other sufficiently stretch and tear resistant Materials (2.2.1, 2.2.4, 2.3, 1.3) are coupled, which are within the set Range of motion relieved and tightened when exceeding the range, causing this protector within a certain adjustable range, for example, the physiological anatomically maximum range, causing no restriction, but blocked when exceeding these limits and thus further deflections prevented. 2. Protector according to claim 1 characterized characterized in that occurring forces such as for example, rotational, distraction, Compressive and shear forces absorbed by the combination of the connecting elements (2.1, 2.2) and the bands (2.2.1, 2.2.4, 2.3, 1.3) of the protector instead of straining the spine (2.1? 2.1.2). 3. protector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting elements (1.2-2.2) are shaped in all three axial directions so that the movement of the connecting elements (1.2-2.2) relative to one another via flat, dome-shaped or complex curved sliding surfaces (4.0) takes place and by variation of the opposite Stop surfaces (2.2.5) the range of motion can be defined. 4. protector according to claim 1 to 3, characterized characterized in that the protector is designed so that it reaches the end point of the Movement limits further movements in which he blocks the forces and / or the Kinetic energy in elastic deformation converts. 5. protector according to claim 1 to 4, characterized characterized in that the textile or other sufficiently extensible materials (2.2.1? 2.2.4? 2.3? 1.3) are adjustable in stages or continuously, for example by Velcro fasteners, Kiemmund Schraubfixierungen clasps or  Belt buckles, allowing for each user a precisely adjustable to his height and weight Power is possible in the motion frame. 6. protector according to claim 1 to 5 _f characterized characterized in that the textile or other sufficiently extensible materials (2.2.1, 2.2.4, 2.3, 1.3) over the entire width of the Connecting elements (1.2, 2.2) are mounted. 7. Protection device according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that the described protector over the thoracic hip region described in claim 1 on all ball joints of Skeletal system, as well as between the skull and thorax and hip and shoulder joints is applicable. 8. Protector according to claim 1 to 7 characterized characterized in that the protector in addition to transgressions of the physiological Movement extent by the partial coverage of the underlying body areas such as For example, back, shoulder, hip also protects against knocks and bumps. 9. Protector according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the textile or other sufficiently extensible materials (2.2.1, 2.2.4, 2.3, 1.3), metal plastic fabric or - chains, metal or plastic cables, hoses, bellows, Scissors or telescopic mechanisms with extension stops are. 10. Protector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lifting of the adjacent connecting elements (1.2, 2.2) prevented or limited by the Connecting elements (1.2, 2.2) by a tongue and groove construction (5.3, 5.0) is realized. 11. Protector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lifting of the adjacent connecting elements (1.2, 2.2) by a rigid or flexible preferably calender-shaped sliding washer (6.1) is prevented by a bolt (6.0), pin, dowel pin, screw or flexible, rigid, elastic Material such as a rope, with the Connecting element (1.2, 2.2) is preferably connected via a screw, gluing, fit or directly, wherein the translational movements by a correspondingly large opening (6.2) in the complementary connecting element (2.2) is made possible. 12. Protector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lifting of the adjacent connecting elements (1.2, 2.2) prevented or limited by a Corset-like sheaths (6.5) over one or more fasteners (1.2, 2.2) is placed. 13. Protector according to one of claims 1 to 9 or 12, characterized in that the lifting of the adjacent connecting elements (1.2, 2.2) is prevented or limited by placing one or more clip-like sheaths (6.6) over the sliding area.