Orthopedic appliance

Abstract

This invention is an orthopedic appliance that provides support, restoration of neck and spinal curvatures, and effective therapeutic treatment via the use of hot and cold applications. There is a cervical support which goes against the patient's mid-neck region and a lumbar support which goes against the small of the patients lower back. Each of these supports is attached to and held in place against a chassis by structural hook and loop fastener which is on their respective mating surfaces. The patient uses heat or cold to treat the enclosed gel pack depending on the physician's recommendation. The gel pack is then placed in a sleeve together with the chassis-supports assemblage, a flap closes the sleeve and fastens shut using hook and loop fastener, and the patient sits against the orthopedic appliance. The supports are between the chassis and the gel pack so a properly contoured, thermally adjusted surface is against the patients back.

1 . An orthopedic appliance comprising: 
 a chassis having a first means for attachment; a cervical support having a second means for attachment; a lumbar support having a third means for attachment; a sleeve having an aperture and a means for closing said aperture; said second means for attachment cooperating with said first means for attachment so that said cervical support is detachably attached to said chassis; said third means for attachment cooperating with said first means for attachment so that said lumbar support is detachably attached to said chassis; said chassis, said cervical support, and said lumbar support being suitably sized to fit into said aperture when said cervical support and said lumbar support are attached to said chassis; and said means for closing said aperture being able to close said aperture when said chassis, said cervical support, and said lumbar support are inside said aperture so that said chassis, said cervical support, and said lumbar support are contained within said sleeve.    
   
   
       2 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 1  further comprising a gel pack; said gel pack being suitably sized to fit into said aperture against said cervical support, said lumbar support, and said chassis when said cervical support and said lumbar support are attached to said chassis; and said means for closing said aperture being able to close said aperture when said chassis, said lumbar support, said cervical support and said gel pack are all inside said sleeve so that said chassis, said lumbar support, said cervical support and said gel pack are contained within said sleeve.  
   
   
       3 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 2  wherein said gel pack is not toxic to humans.  
   
   
       4 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 2  wherein said gel pack is capable of receiving and holding a thermal charge.  
   
   
       5 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 2  wherein said means for closing said aperture are hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       6 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 2  wherein said first means for attachment and said second means for attachment are respectively hook and loop fastener adapted to mate in such a way as to attach said cervical support to said chassis detachably.  
   
   
       7 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 2  wherein said first means for attachment and said third means for attachment are respectively hook and loop fastener adapted to mate in such a way as to attach said lumbar support to said chassis detachably.  
   
   
       8 . An orthopedic appliance comprising: 
 a chassis having a first means for attachment; a cervical support having a first contour and a second means for attachment; a lumbar support having a second contour and a third means for attachment; a sleeve having an aperture and a means for closing said aperture; and a gel pack; said second means for attachment cooperating with said first means for attachment so that said cervical support is detachably attached to said chassis; said third means for attachment cooperating with said first means for attachment so that said lumbar support is detachably attached to said chassis; said gel pack being deformable to fit against said first contour and said second contour; said chassis, said cervical support, said gel pack, and said lumbar support being suitably sized to fit into said aperture when said cervical support and said lumbar support are attached to said chassis and said gel pack is placed against said first contour and said second contour; and said means for closing said aperture being able to close said aperture when said chassis, said cervical support, said gel pack, and said lumbar support are inside said aperture so that said chassis, said cervical support, said gel pack, and said lumbar support are contained within said sleeve.    
   
   
       9 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 8  wherein said gel pack is not toxic to humans.  
   
   
       10 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 8  wherein said gel pack is capable of receiving and holding a thermal charge.  
   
   
       11 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 8  wherein said means for closing said aperture are hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       12 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 8  wherein said first means for attachment and said second means for attachment are respectively hook and loop fastener adapted to mate in such a way as to attach said cervical support to said chassis detachably.  
   
   
       13 . The orthopedic appliance of  claim 8  wherein said first means for attachment and said third means for attachment are respectively hook and loop fastener adapted to mate in such a way as to attach said lumbar support to said chassis detachably.