GB2410438A

GB2410438A - Inflatable back support

Info

Publication number: GB2410438A
Application number: GB0401844A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David William Wade; Maurice Michael Abney-Hastings
Original assignee: ARDEN MEDICAL Ltd
Current assignee: ARDEN MEDICAL Ltd
Priority date: 2004-01-28
Filing date: 2004-01-28
Publication date: 2005-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-28
Also published as: GB0401844D0; GB2410438B

Abstract

A portable lumbar support device comprising a belt 10 adapted to be worn about the lumbar region of a user, the belt having a part 11 which can be expanded to as to apply a localised pressure to a specific area of the lumbar region. The part 11 may comprises a plurality of elongate inflatable chambers 20,22,24.

Description

24 1 0438 Portable Lumbar Support Device The present invention relates to

a portable lumbar support device.

It is estimated that back pain is suffered on a regular basis by as many as 18 million people in the UK alone with an estimated 400 000 working days each day being lost as a direct result. The majority of these people suffer from degeneration in the lumbar region of the spine and movement of the discs. A number of different portable back supports are available to alleviate the condition of the kind which can be worn when the user is about their daily business.

It is known to provide a lumbar support device in the form of a girdle for the torso to support a user's back. It is further known to provide a roll of foam for strapping around the lumbar region. Both of these devices provide large area support to a user's back.

The main problem associated with the prior lumbar support devices is that the area of the device giving pressure, and thereby providing support to the back, is non specific and covers several vertebrae at once. In this way the prior devices provide limited comfort and pain relief. The devices may be uncomfortable to wear and provide only a limited degree of adjustment of the pressure which can be applied to the user's back.

What is required is an improved lumbar support device.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a portable lumbar support device comprising a belt adapted to be worn about the lumbar region of a user, the belt having a part which can be expanded so as to apply a localised pressure to a specific area of the lumbar region.

A lumbar support device so arranged can be worn about the body of a user to apply a specific and localised pressure to a spinal disc region of the lower back on operation of the part. The application of such localised pressure may aid comfort by providing support and thereby providing pain relief to back pain sufferers.

Preferably, the part of the belt is dimensioned so as to apply the localised pressure in the range 20 - 26 mm across the width of the belt to provide localised support to a user's back.

The belt preferably has more than one part.

A dimension in the range 20 - 26 mm equates to the size of individual vertebrae of the average adult back. The said part is, therefore, capable of providing localised inter-vertebral support to a single vertebrae of the user's back.

Preferably, the part of the belt comprises an inflatable chamber inflation of which expands the part so as to apply the localised pressure. The chamber can be inflated to a desired pressure with a pump according to the individual comfort and need of the user.

The pump may also be used to deflate the inflated chamber.

Inflation gas such as air may be maintained in the chamber by means of a valve.

The width of the inflated chamber may be in the range 20 - 26 mm but more preferably is substantially 23 mm, in use. The width of 23mm matches the size of an adult lumbar disc.

The inflatable chamber is preferably elongate in a direction lengthwise of the belt.

In a preferred embodiment there is provided a plurality of elongate inflatable chambers arranged in parallel along the length of the belt and spaced apart along the width of the belt. Such a device may provide greater support by providing pressure to adjacent inter vertebral regions and may provide increased comfort to the user.

In a preferred embodiment there are three elongate inflatable chambers. Use of three inflatable chambers provides an optimum level of localised support to a few individual vertebrae of a user's back and also provides for a conveniently sized device.

Each chamber may be individually inflatable and, in a preferred embodiment gas such as air may be maintained in each chamber by a respective valve. Such individually inflatable chambers can be inflated to different pressures to provide a greater degree of adjustment than the prior lumbar support devices. Adjustment of the pressures of the chambers may provide greater comfort to the user.

Preferably each elongate inflatable chamber has a central axis, the central axis of adjacent inflated chambers being separated by a distance in the range 20 - 26 mm, in use. Preferably the separation of the central axis of adjacent inflated chamber is substantially 23mm.

In a preferred embodiment the device is provided with a reaction means against which the or each inflatable chamber can react so as to inflate towards a user's back, in use.

Such a reaction means ensures that when the device is worn by a user the or each inflatable chamber bulges towards the user's back as it is inflated.

In one embodiment the reaction means is a cover which overlies the or each chamber on one side of the belt. Such a cover has the effect of ensuring that the or each inflated chamber bulges towards the user's back in use. The cover preferably acts to inhibit outward bulging of the or each chamber away from the user's back.

Preferably the or each chamber is provided with an inflation tube in fluid communication therewith. Each inflation tube is of a suitable length to permit a free end of the tube to be accessible when the device is worn about the body so that its chamber is more easily inflatable by the user.

Advantageously the valve for the or each chamber is provided in the associated inflation tube, and in a preferred embodiment the valve for each chamber is provided at the free end of the inflation tube.

The lumber support device may be constructed from sheets of plastics material such a nylon or PVC. Such a material is relatively inexpensive and provides for ready joining by plastics welding to form the device.

Preferably the lumbar support device comprises a contact sheet for contact with a user's body, a chamber sheet to form the or each chamber with the contact sheet, and the cover to provide the reaction means. Such a three piece construction provides for ready mass production of the device.

In a preferred embodiment the external surface of the contact sheet and/or the cover have a velvet or flock coating. Such a coating aids comfort when the device is next to the skin and provides a pleasing overall aesthetic appearance to the device. Such a flock coating is also readily cleanable and reusable.

The lumbar support device may further be provided with a securing panel for keeping the inflation tubes together. Such a securing panel keeps the inflation tubes tidy and inhibits them from becoming tangled.

Preferably each elongate chamber has a length in the range of 24 - 36 cm and more preferably the length of each chamber is substantially 30 cm. Such a dimension is of sufficient length to provide support to an average user's body and provides a volume of each chamber that is easily and quickly inflatable by the user.

In a preferred embodiment the lumbar support device has free ends for securing the device around the waist of the user. Preferably the free ends are provided with a fastener, and in a preferred embodiment the free ends may be provided with a hook and loop fastener. Such a hook and loop fastener permits the device to be easily adjusted by the user.

Preferably the pump comprises a hand pump which may be in the form of a bulb of resilient material. The hand pump may have a pump chamber, and a one way valve, arranged to control flow from the pump chamber through an outlet nozzle which co-operates with the free end of the or each inflation tube, wherein operation of the hand pump causes the said part to inflate, in use.

A pump so arranged can be used to inflate a respective chamber of the lumbar support device and the one way valve permits the passage of air to the pump chamber. Location of the outlet nozzle provides for a convenient means of connecting the pump chamber to the lumbar support device.

Preferably the hand pump is provided with another one way valve, arranged to control flow to the pump chamber through an inlet nozzle which cooperates with the free end of the or each inflation tube, wherein operation of the hand pump causes the lumbar support device to deflate, in use.

A pump so arranged can be used to deflate a respective chamber of the lumbar support device whereby the one way valve permits passage of air to the pump chamber.

In a preferred embodiment the hand pump comprises two half shells which are joined together to form the bulb. Preferably the half shells are of a material that does not cause irritation to the skin such as non-latex PVC.

Preferably the first said one way valve is provided with the outlet nozzle.

Preferably the other one way valve is provided with the inlet nozzle.

The lumbar support device is preferably in the form of a kit comprising the belt and the pump.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using a lumbar support device as substantially described above, the method including the steps of; inflating the or each inflation chamber to a partial pressure; fitting the device around the body; inflating the or each inflation chamber to a higher pressure; wearing the device for approximately one hour; and adjusting the pressure of each inflation chamber to the required pressure below the higher pressure.

Preferably the method further includes the step of wearing the device for a continuous period of three hours per day.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which; - Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the internal structure of the lumbar support device according to the present invention.

- Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a hand pump for inflating the lumbar support device shown in Figure 1.

- Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective representation of the lumbar support device shown in Figure 1.

- Figure 4 is a cross section of the lumbar support device taken along line X-X in Figure 1 and worn about a users back.

Referring firstly to Figure l there is shown a diagrammatic plan view showing some of the internal structure of the lumbar support device according to the present invention.

The device comprises a belt 10 which a user can wear about the lumbar region of the back. The belt 10 comprises a central panel 11 having ends 12, 14. The ends 12, 14 of the device 10 are provided with parts 16, 18 respectively of a hook and loop fastener to secure the device 10 in position around the lumbar region. The panel 11 has three chambers 20, 22, 24 which are individually inflatable via respective flexible tubes 26, 28, 30. Each tube 26, 28, 30 has a respective valve 32, 34, 36 to permit each chamber 20, 22, 24 to remain inflated. The tubes 26, 28, 30 permit the chambers 20, 22, 24 to be inflated easily when the device 10 is worn about the body because the free ends of the tubes 26, 28, 30 are easily accessible to the user. Each tube 26, 28, 30 is of suitable length to provide easy access to the free ends of the tubes 26, 28, 30 when the device 10 is worn.

Now turning to Figure 2 there is shown a diagrammatic side view of a hand pump for inflating the lumbar support device shown in Figure 1, generally designated 40. The pump 40 is in the form of a bulb which comprises two half shells 42, 44 of non-latex PVC material which are joined together to form a chamber. Each half shell 42, 44 is provided with a respective one way valve 46, 48 in fluid communication with the chamber. The one way valve 46 permits passage of air from the chamber and the other one way valve 48 permits passage of air to the chamber. Each one way valve 46, 48 is provided with a nozzle 50, 52 which is sized to permit insertion into any one of the valves 32, 34, 36 shown in Figure 1. By locating one or other of the nozzles 50, 52 into a chosen valve 32, 34, 36 and squeezing the pump 10 in the palm of the hand the user can inflate or deflate a chosen chamber 20, 22, 24 as desired.

In Figure 3 there is shown a diagrammatic perspective representation of the lumbar support device 10 shown in Figure I in an inflated condition and ready to be worn around the waist of the user. The chambers 20, 22, 24 are for location adjacent the lumbar region of the user and the hook and loop fasteners 16, 18 can be used to adjust the tension of the device 10 around the waist of a user. Also shown in Figure 3 is a reaction panel 54 for inhibiting the chambers 20, 22, 24 from expanding away from the lumbar region and for constraining them to bulge inwards towards the lumbar region. A securing panel 57 is also shown to keep the inflation tubes 26, 28, 30 together so that once the device 10 is worn the user can locate the inflation tubes 26, 28, 30 more easily to inflate the chambers 20, 22, 24.

Figure 4 is a cross section of the lumbar support device in an inflated condition taken along line X-X in Figure 1 and worn about a user's back. Figure 4 shows how the device 10 is constructed and includes the reaction panel 54, a chamber panel 56 and a contact panel 58. The three panels 54, 56, 58 are of a weldable plastics material such as nylon. The chamber panel 56 is shown welded to the contact panel between the chambers 20, 22, 24 at points 60, 62 and at the edges 64, 66 of the device 10. An example of the weld at the edge 64 is shown in Figure 1. In Figure 4 the reaction panel 54 is shown welded to the contact panel 58 at the edges 68, 70 of the device. The external surface of the reaction panel 54 and the contact panel 58 have a velvet or flock coating to aid comfort when the device 10 is next to the skin and to improve the overall aesthetic appearance of the device 10. Such a material is also reusable and cleanable.

The construction shown in Figure 4 helps to ensure that when the chambers 20, 22, 24 expand during inflation, they bulge towards the lumbar region (indicate at 72 in Figure 4) of the back when the device 10 is worn. This construction also provides a convenient means of manufacturing the device 10.

The lumbar support device 10 is intended to apply a specific and localised pressure to a spinal disc region of the lower back on inflation of any of the chambers 20, 22, 24.

Each chamber has an inflated width W in the range 20 - 26 mm which equates to the average size of an average adult lumbar disc 74. An inflated chamber of this dimension is capable of providing localised inter-vertebral support to a single vertebrae in the user's back. The centre C of each inflated chamber 20, 22, 24 is in the range 20 - 26 mm from the centre of an adjacent inflated chamber. An optimum inflated width W of each chamber 20, 22, 24 is substantially 23mm to correspond to the average size of an average adult lumbar disc.

One method for using the device 10 is to fit the deflated device 10 tightly around the body without being uncomfortable, so that the inflatable chambers 20, 22, 24 are adjacent the affected area of the user's back. The hook and loop fasteners 16, 18 provide for a degree of adjustable tension to the device 10. When wearing the device 10 the user must ensure that the inflation tubes 26, 28, 30 and the reaction panel 54 are on the outside of the device 10 as illustrated in Figure 3. It is intended that each chamber 20, 22, 24 is located about the vertebrae of the user's back which cause most discomfort. One or more of the chambers 20, 22, 24 can then be inflated or deflated to the desired pressure using the hand pump 40 by inserting the appropriate end 50, 52 of the pump 40 into a respective inflation tube 26, 28, 30 and squeezing the pump 40. The device 10 provides a naturally induced warmth to the area of the back causing discomfort. The air filled chambers 20, 22, 24 provide an insulating effect to keep the area of the back causing pain warm.

An alternative method for using the lumbar support device 10 is to firstly inflate the chambers 20, 22, 24 prior to fitting of the device 10 around the user's body so that the centre C of each chamber 20, 22, 24 can be accurately located on appropriate vertebrae 74. Once in place each chamber 20, 22, 24 is then inflated to a higher pressure and the device 10 is worn for approximately one hour. The user must then adjust the pressure on any of the chambers 20, 22, 24 until the most comfortable level of support is obtained from the device 10. It is intended that the device 10 is worn for a period of a minimum of three continuous hours per day. It is especially important that the device 10 is worn when walking as it is the action of the pressure provided by the device 10 whilst the spine is moving which may provide relief and long term improvement to the user.

It is intended that the device 10 should be worn as close to the skin as possible to provide the maximum benefit to the user. A light material such as an undergarment can be worn between the device 10 and the skin to absorb any perspiration.

Claims

1. A portable lumbar support device comprising a belt adapted to be worn about the lumbar region of a user, the belt having a part which can be expanded so as to apply a localised pressure to a specific area of the lumbar region.

2. A device according to claim 1 and adapted to apply a localised pressure to a spinal disc region of the lower back.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said part is dimensioned so as to apply the localised pressure in the range 20 - 26 mm across the width of the belt.

4. A device according to any of claims 1-3 wherein said part comprises an inflatable chamber.

5. A device according to claim 4 and having a valve to maintain an inflation gas in the chamber.

6. A device according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said inflatable chamber is To elongate in a direction lengthwise of the belt.

7. A device according to any of claims 4-6 and provided with a plurality of elongate inflatable chambers arranged in parallel along the length of the belt and spaced apart across the width of the belt.

8. A device according to claim 7 and having three elongate inflatable chambers.

9. A device according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein each chamber is individually

inflatable.

10. A device according to any of claims 7-9 wherein each elongate inflatable chamber has a central axis, the central axes of adjacent inflated chambers being separated by a distance in the range 20 - 26 mm, in use.

11. A device according to any of claims 4-10 and further provided with a reaction means against which the or each inflatable chamber can react so as to cause inflation towards a user's back, in use.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein said reaction means is a cover which overlies the or each chamber on one side of the belt.

13. A device according to any of claims 4-12 wherein the or each chamber is provided with an inflation tube in fluid communication therewith.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein a valve for the or each chamber is provided in the associated inflation tube.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the valve for the or each chamber is provided at the free end of the respective inflation tube. i,

16. A device according to any preceding claim and constructed from sheets of plastics material.

17. A lumber support device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A device according to claim 16 and comprising a contact sheet for contact with a user's body, a chamber sheet to form the or each chamber with the contact sheet, and the cover to provide reaction means.

18. A device according to any preceding claim and having free ends for securing the device around the waist of the user.

19. A device according to claim 18 wherein the free ends are provided with a hook and loop fastener.

20. A lumber support device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows l3 1. A portable lumbar support device comprising a belt adapted to be worn about the lumbar region of a user, the belt having a plurality of elongate inflatable chambers arranged in parallel along the length of the belt, said chambers having a longitudinal axis and bulging in use across the lumbar region so as to provide inter-vertebral support at several locations.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein each said chamber is dimensioned so as to apply the localised pressure in the range 20 - 26 mm across the width of the belt.

4. A device according to any preceding claim and having a valve to maintain an inflation gas in the chambers.

5. A device according to any preceding claim and having three elongate inflatable chambers.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein each of said chambers is individually inflatable.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the longitudinal axes of adjacent inflated chambers is separated by a distance in the range 20 26 mm, in use.

8. A device according to any preceding claim and further provided with a reaction means against which the inflatable chambers can react so as to cause inflation towards a user's back, in use.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said reaction means is a cover which overlies the chambers on one side of the belt.

10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the chambers are provided with a respective inflation tube in fluid communication therewith.

11. A device according to claim 10 and having a valve for each chamber provided in the associated inflation tube.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein the valve for each chamber is provided at the free end of the respective inflation tube.

13. A device according to any preceding claim and constructed from sheets of plastics material.

14. A device according to claim 13 and comprising a contact sheet for contact with a user's body, a chamber sheet to form the or each chamber with the contact sheet, and a cover to provide reaction means.

15. A device according to any preceding claim and having free ends for securing the device around the waist of the user.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein the free ends are provided with a hook and loop fastener.