"EXPANDER DEVICE FOR THE UPPER BODY AND THE SPINAL

COLUMN"

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TECHNICAL FIELD This invention concerns an extensor device designed for the active-passive traction of the trunk and of the spinal column of persons.

More specifically, this invention refers to an extensor device designed for the active or passive traction of the trunk of persons suffering from disorders such as classic back pain, more technically defined as chronic backache.

The device in question is particularly advantageous in cases of arthritis, arthrosis, scoliosis and cervical pain, and for the curative treatment of young people still in the growing stage. It has also been found to help in slowing down the development of osteoporosis, a highly invalidating disorder especially for the elderly, who are already particularly debilitated and fragile. The device according to the invention consists of an appliance which can be fitted to the body in such a way that the body, and in particular the spinal column, can be subjected to stretching, with evident general advantages for the person wearing it. This invention can be applied in the orthopedic field and specifically in the production sector of various types of extensor devices designed for the traction of the limbs and the body.

BACKGROUND ART It is known that many people suffer from a very common disorder, backache. Statistically, as shown by X- rays, almost everyone, especially after a certain age, feels some degree of discomfort in the vertebral disks and in other parts of the spinal column, but only some

experience actual pain.

This means that the cause of the backache is not unique and above all not just organic, but that psychological and social factors can also be involved, altering the perception of pain. The problem does not, however, affect just a small number of people according to European and US statistics which report that 23% of the population suffer continuously from this type of pain for at least three months of the year, and that this negative experience has been felt by 84% of the population at one time or other during their lives.

To create some kind of order among the diagnoses and numerous treatments for chronic backache, a European work group of experts has drawn up new guidelines which actually concentrate on so-called chronic backache.

While it is in fact true that acute backache is a fairly relative problem, since it disappears without any apparent reason after about a week, chronic backache is a much more serious problem, since in the majority of cases it lasts for months, and in some cases even years, preventing many people from working.

Various techniques with varying degrees of efficacy based on treatment-dedicated studies have been experimented to overcome the problem of backache. The most valid approach seems to be multidisciplinary, combining medical skills, behavioural cognitive therapy and physical exercise, although it should be recognised that such an approach, typical to Anglosaxon countries, is still somewhat difficult to implement The European guidelines did in fact ascertain that the greatest degree of efficacy is achieved by working with the patient to improve posture, encourage movement and help increase the ability to adapt to the pain. Gentle and gradual physical exercise allows a more rapid

recovery and return to work.

The existing studies do not, however, make it possible to choose one type of exercise with respect to another and the various proposals, for example aerobics, stretching, flexion, muscular reinforcement, the Back School, etc., all have the same value and their usefulness greatly depends on the individual person's inclinations and degree of acceptance.

According to a recent review on the topic, physical exercise must be carried out for three hours a week for 4-6 weeks.

Specialists also consider manipulations (such as chiropractic, osteopathy and manual therapies in general) to be of some use, while techniques that can be classified as "massage", and so-called physical therapy, are of uncertain use if not completely useless.

Laser, magnetotherapy and ultrasound, for example, have not demonstrated any degree of efficacy in the treatment of chronic backache, and the usefulness of acupuncture, at least in the general population, is controversial.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention proposes to provide an appliance consisting of an extensor device designed for the active- passive traction of the trunk and the spinal column of persons subject to backache, which can eliminate or at least reduce the problems described above.

The invention also proposes to provide an extensor device designed for the active-passive traction of the trunk and the spinal column that is very simple to produce so as to be extremely economical from the production point of view, so that it can widely used on a large scale.

This is achieved by means of an extensor device designed for the traction of the trunk and the spinal column, the features of which are described in the main claim. The dependent claims of the solution in question describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The main advantages of this solution, in addition to all those deriving from its construction simplicity, concern first of all the fact that the extensor device is used to place the spinal column in traction, with immediate benefits due to the forced, albeit elastic, tendency of the vertebrae to move away from each other.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of arthritis, arthrosis, scoliosis and cervical pain, and for the curative treatment of young people still in the growing stage and the preventive treatment for working people, whatever the type of work.

The device according to the invention can also be used to advantage for people who carry out heavy-duty work, in the building, agricultural and forestry sectors, and also for damage caused by the fatigue of driving vehicles, or for people doing sedentary jobs or work in which they have to stand for many hours . The device according to the invention thus substantially consists of a hollow tubular rod which is crossed by special elastic elements that allow it to be fixed to the head of a bed or an structure providing support for the body. Application on a hammock could be ideal.

The edge of the tubular rod is fitted with hooks through which straps are passed, the straps in turn being passed and fastened around the waist or another median and/or upper part of the trunk of the person being

treated.

Being restrained by this device to the head of a bed, the patient can help him/herself with the feet or pelvis in pushing the lower part of the body away from the upper part, thus causing the traction of the spinal column which will stay taut for the time and in the way decided by the patient or the orthopaedic specialist or physiotherapist.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become evident on reading the following description of one embodiment of the invention, given as a non-binding example, with the help of the accompanying drawings in which: figure 1 represents a schematic view of the device according to the invention overall; figure 2 is a schematic and plan view of the device shown being used by a patient positioned on a bed; - figure 3 is a schematic and plan view of the device shown being used by a female patient, in this case too positioned lying horizontally on a bed; figures 4 and 5 represent schematic views of an extensor device according to the invention, in a first maximum extension position and in a second retracted position.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the extensor device designed for the traction of the trunk and the spinal column substantially consists of an appliance that can be considered as a sort of harness for the elastic traction of the spinal column.

With reference first of all to figure 1 it can be

seen that the device according to the invention, extremely simple but at the same time extremely useful and functional for relaxation due to the extension of the spinal column, consists of a hollow tubular rod 10 which is preferably but not necessarily made from plastic of appropriate consistency and solidity and corresponding in length to at least the width of a person's shoulders. The hollow rod can, if necessary, be shaped and made in various shapes and sizes. The tubular rod 10 is crossed by at least one elastic cord 11 whose ends are attached to coupling elements 12, for example the spring-catch or other type.

The use of Velcro fastening systems or other systems with the same function is also foreseen. The elastic cord can be wider or can be passed two or three times around the rod, so that its force and tension is greater and proportional to the stretching to be exercised on the person's body.

The coupling elements 12 are designed for fixing the ends of the elastic cord to supports 13 positioned on the end 14 of a bed, or another similar structure on which a person can lie in a supine position, that is to say face up on his/her back, but also face down.

Advantageously, the coupling elements 12 positioned at the ends of the elastic cords 11 can also be hooked on to any other part of the bed or similar structure, for example on the edge of the spring base or on the mesh of the base.

The ends of the hollow tubular rod are fitted with two fixed elements 15 shaped to accommodate a flexible strap 16 of appropriate length, designed to wrap round a person by passing under the armpits and fastening at the front by means of a buckle 17.

When in use, the device is as can be seen in figures

2 and 3, that is to say with the tubular element positioned horizontally above the person's head, with the elastic elements arranged horizontally to hook on to the head of the bed and the straps 16 first passing behind and under the armpits and then to the front, fastening over the chest-abdomen by means of the buckle 17.

In the case shown in figure 3, the elastic traction element is used by a female patient and in this case the straps can be arranged so as to avoid compression of the breast, that is to say using several straps 18 which are positioned over the lower part of the chest, close to the upper abdomen with the same number of adjustable buckles 19.

The use of the device described above is extremely simple with respect to the efficacy of the result. It is in fact sufficient to hook the two ends of the elastic cord on to the head of the bed or close to the rear top end of the spring base.

The person should then lie on the bed face up or face down, as required, and pass the straps from behind the shoulders, under the armpits and then fasten them over the upper abdomen or the front of the chest.

It is advisable to wear a T-shirt or pyjamas to prevent discomfort or irritation under the armpits due to the straps.

The part of the strap which adheres to the body is covered by a removable and washable soft sheath.

With the help of the legs and the pelvis, the person pushes the lower part of the body away from the head of the bed until the trunk, i.e. the spinal column, is in traction and in elastic opposition to the device.

The traction can be modified by the thrust of the legs and pelvis until the required traction is achieved according to personal requirements, although it is

advisable for the intensity to be established by- specialised personnel, such as orthopedic specialists or physiotherapists, on the basis of the spinal disorder to be corrected. The person can remain in traction all night or for as long as is deemed necessary. When the tension of the device is released, the relieving effect is immediate and very evident, with the possibility that, if used correctly, even the most painful backaches can be cured. Advantageously, the device can also be fitted with equipment for measuring and adjusting the intensity of the traction, such as electronic dynamometers or other suitable instruments for monitoring the exercise.

Another advantage is represented by the fact that the elastic cords (11) can be replaced with spring type elastic elements.

The device can also consist solely of elastic components that can also be covered with a soft sheath adhering to the body. Figures 4 and 5 show another embodiment, in which the extensor device consists of: two elastic straps made from cotton and rubber elastic thread 20, which must have suitable resistance to traction; a sheet of neoprene, or similar material, bonded to fabric and to foam polyethylene, forming a tubular element in the shape of a tubular cushion 21 adhering to the body;

According to this embodiment, elastic straps 20 with a double traction effect are used, coupled to a soft and substantially tubular element 21, which represents the traction section adhering to the body.

The elastic straps 20 are in turn attached to a buckle 22 which allows the straps to be adjusted on the

fixing bar of the bed 14, permitting the tubular traction element 21 to be moved closer to or farther away from the fixing bar.

This solution also allows the buckle 22 to be closed, in a first case, near to the tubular element 21

(figure 4), thus obtaining greater resistance of the elastic elements, particularly suitable for more sturdy persons .

In a second case, the buckles 22 close near the bed head 14 (figure 5), providing a more gentle traction more suitable for females and slimmer persons.

The intermediate tension provided by the intermediate position of the buckles is, naturally, suitable for all other cases. The invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. It is nevertheless clear that the invention is susceptible to numerous variations that lie within its scope, in the framework of technical equivalents .