Surgical brace

June 25, 1963

3,094,984

E. L. JEWETT

SURGICAL BRACE

Filed Sept. 1, 1961

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United States Patent Office

3,094,984

Patented June 25, 1963

3,094,984 SURGICAL BRACE

Eugene L. Jewett, Maitland, Fla., assignor to Florida Brace Corporation, Winter Park, Fla., a corporation of Florida

Filed Sept. 1,1961, Ser. No. 135,669 6 Claims. (Cl. 128—78)

This invention relates to a surgical brace.

A brace embodying the present invention provides a subframe fitted firmly to the patient’s pelvic region. The frame as a whole includes bars which are connected to sternal and pubic pads at the front of the patient’s body, and to the side pads at opposite sides of the patient’s body. Downward 'and rearward flank extensions from the side pads curve about the patient’s flanks and are strapped together about the buttocks.

For patients who have had a fusion operation, the lumbar pad has supplemental cushions spaced at opposite sides of the spinal column to provide pressure support for the lumbar region without pressure upon the area in which the surgical work had been done. These supplemental cushions are desirably adhered to the surface of the lumbar pad. They can be stripped off when no longer needed in order that the brace may function as a hyperextension brace without requiring a substitute pad.

The lumbar pad has dual supporting tension straps of non-extensible metal and these, together with the equalizing bar, if any, are desirably housed within the cover of the lumbar pad.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a brace embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the brace shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the brace shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lumbar strap and pad assembly as it appears when removed from the brace.

The brace comprises a frame which includes allochiral sternal bars 5 and 6 and allochiral pubic bars 7 and 8 interconnected with each other as hereinafter described. The upper ends of the pubic bars are adjustably connected with the lower ends of the sternal bars by means of reenforcing plates 10 within the respective side pads 11 and 12.

The lower end portions 9 of the respective sternal bars 5 and 6 are nearly upright at opposite sides of the patient’s body. The portion 90 of each sternal bar extends forwardly in an almost horizontal direction and curves about the patient’s thorax toward the front of his body. At 13 the respective bars again extend nearly vertically at the front of the patient’s body, while at 130 their terminal portions extend toward each other across the front of the patient’s body, being adjustably connected with a plate member 14 which completes the frameforming connection between the sternal bars at this point.

Sternal pad 21 is mounted from frame member 14 in any desired manner. In my companion application, Serial No. 135,510, filed September 1, 1961, the sternal pad is pivoted, but no pivotal connection is shown in the present case.

The pubic bars 7 and 8 have portions 25 and 26 which curve forwardly and downwardly and are adjustably connected with the stiffening plate 270 of pubic pad 27.

The pubic bars 7, 8 and pubic pad 27 and the lateral torso pads 11, 12 constitute a subframe which may be equipped with a buttocks-encircling strap to girdle the patient’s pelvic region. Due particularly to the design of the lateral torso pads, the subframe is useful in fusion cases and the like without the sternum pad and arms.

The bars 10 which internally re-enforce the lateral torso pads 11 and 12 are rather narrow. Below their connections with the pubic bars 7 and 8, the bars curve rearwardly at 18 and pass downwardly and inwardly behind the patient to their terminal portions 19. The pad por5 tions 20 behind these bars are flexible. They extend behind the bars to the terminal portions 19 thereof. Here the bars are provided with hooks 21 with which strap 22 may be connected to extend around the patient’s buttocks to complete the girdling of the pelvic portions of the 10 patient’s body. For hyperextension cases, the strap 22 may not be desired. Its use is optional. In any event, the downward and rearward inwardly curving extensions of the flank pads and the terminal portions 21 of the internal re-enforcement of such pads contribute markedly 15 to the firmness of support provided by this brace.

The lumbar pad 30 extends arcuately about the patient’s body and has, within its covering 40, channels 31 and 32 formed by rows of stitching and which confine the supporting metal tension straps 28 and 29. These straps are 20 connected to the frame means at 33 and 34 and pivotally connected by rivets 35 and 36 to an equalizer link 38 also housed within the covering of the lumbar pad. An extension strap 39 pivoted to the equalizer link 38 is detachably fastened to the frame hook 46 by the sleeve 43, 25 which is adjustable on the extension strap 39 by means described in my companion application Serial No. 135,510, filed September 1, 1961, and executed concurrently herewith.

On the inner concave face of the lumbar pad are de20 tachably cemented sponge rubber cushions 50 and 51 laterally spaced at opposite sides of the patient’s spine to avoid direct pressure contact with the site of a fusion operation, while still providing firm pressure support for the lumbar region. When the surgical incision has healed 35 sufficiently so that the spine can stand direct pressure of the lumbar pad (which is, of course, itself internally cushioned) the external cushions 50 and 51 can be stripped from the lumbar pad.

It will be observed that the lumbar pad 30 has lateral 40 extensions 301 and 302 which project from the pad proper along the tension straps 28 and 29. These extensoins lap portions 20 of the torso side pads 11, 12, whereby the rear of the patient’s body is substantially completely encircled by the padded material. The metal tension straps 45 are nearly completely enclosed.

The several pads shown desirably comprise an internal cushion 41 of material such as sponge rubber usually laminated with a stiffening ply 42, the jacket being a moisture and soil-resistant cover 40 of material such as 50 artificial leather. The re-enforcing plates and bars constituting the frame are desirably made of surgical steel, being corrosion resistant and strong and inflexible in the sense that they do not yield appreciably under the pressures to which they are subject in use. The metal tension 55 straps are flexible but unyielding under tension.

This brace is particularly adapted for a wide variety of usage both as a flexion brace and a hyperextension brace. As a flexion brace, it will ordinarily have the sternal pad 18 and the sternal bars 5 and 6 removed. As 60 a hyperextension brace, strap 42 may be removed and the auxiliary cushions 50 and 51 of the lumbar pad 30 may be omitted.