Mark A Christensen

US Patent:

61028797, Aug 15, 2000

Filed:

Jan 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/224699

Inventors:

Mark G. Christensen - Decatur GA
David P. Defrances - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Innovative Orthotics and Rehabilitation, Inc. - Decatur GA

International Classification:

A61F 500

US Classification:

602 19

Abstract:

An adjustable back brace having a posterior wound clearance. The back brace includes a pair of spaced apart support members configured to extend circumstantially about a patient's waist. Each support member has a posterior portion and an anterior portion. The anterior portions overlap one another and are adjustably secured to one another with hook and loop fasteners when the back brace is worn by the patient. A pair of inelastic straps secure and tighten the back brace about the patient's waist. Each strap is anchored approximately adjacent the patient's spine to one of the posterior portions. The straps extend toward one another across the wound clearance to rings attached to the opposite posterior portion. The straps pass through the rings to reverse direction and extend back across the wound clearance, around the patient's sides, and to the patient's anterior. By pulling the straps in opposite directions across the patient's anterior, the posterior portions are forced toward one another to narrow the wound clearance and tighten the fit of the back brace.