Device for posturing an individual

Abstract

A posturing device for posturing an individual so as to render the individual's back accessible. The posturing device comprises a base and a spine support system. The spine support system may be, for example, a flexible chain that conforms to the spinal shape of the individual. The device may also include one or more back supports attached to the base where each back support is moveable from a first configuration in which the back supports are applied to the base, and the individual's back is exposed, except in the spinal region, and a second configuration in which the back supports form an angle with the base and provided support to the back. The device may be used in order to carry out a treatment of the individual's back or for applying one or more transducers, such as microphones, to the individual's back.

1 . A posturing device for posturing an individual, comprising: 
 (a) a base, and    (b) a spine support system attached to the base to support the individual's spine while rendering the individual's back accessible.    
   
   
       2 . The posturing device according to  claim 1  wherein the spine support system comprises a chain.  
   
   
       3 . Posturing device according to  claim 2  wherein the chain includes a layer of padding.  
   
   
       4 . The posturing device according to  claim 1  further comprising one or more back supports attached to the base, each back support being moveable from a first configuration in which the back supports are applied to the base and a second configuration in which the back supports form an angle with the base.  
   
   
       5 . The posturing device according to  claim 4  wherein the back supports include a layer of padding.  
   
   
       6 . The posturing device according to  claim 4  wherein the back supports are maintained in the second position by means of one or more struts.  
   
   
       7 . The posturing device according to  claim 6  in which the struts are slidable along the base between a first position in which the back supports can assume their first position and a second position in which the back supports are maintained in the second position.  
   
   
       8 . The posturing device according to  claim 4  wherein the back supports form an angle between 30 and 50° with the base when in the second position.  
   
   
       9 . The posturing device according to  claim 1  further comprising a head rest.  
   
   
       10 . A bed or couch comprising the posturing device according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       11 . A method for posturing an individual so as to render the individual's back accessible, comprising; 
 (a) providing a posturing device comprising 
 (i) a base, and  
 (ii) a spine support system attached to the base to support the individual's spine while rendering the individual's back accessible; and  
   (b) placing the individuals spine on the spine support system with the one or more back supports in their first position.    The method according to  claim 11  wherein the posturing device further comprises one or more back supports attached to the base, each back support being moveable from a first configuration in which the back supports are applied to the base and a second configuration in which the back supports form an angle with the base, and the method further comprises a step of bringing the one or more back supports to their second position.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the posturing device is placed on a bed or couch.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the bed or couch is in an upright position.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the posturing device is integral with a bed or couch.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising performing a treatment or examination of the individual's back.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising applying one or more transducers to the individual's back.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein at least one of the transducers is a microphone.