Lower Back Orthosis

Abstract

A lower back orthosis includes a bandage designed to surround the lower back of a patient and a support device connected to the bandage. The support device is formed by a plurality of finger-shaped rods connected directly to one another. The finger-shaped rods are oriented in a longitudinal direction of a spinal column when positioned on a patient.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A lower back orthosis comprising:
 a bandage sized and shaped to be positioned on a lower back of a patient and including a first end, a second end and a center; and   a support device connected to the bandage, which includes a plurality of interconnected finger-shaped rods oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bandage.   
     
     
         24 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of finger-shaped rods decrease in length from the center of the bandage toward the first and second ends of the bandage. 
     
     
         25 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the plurality of finger-shaped rods is removably interconnected. 
     
     
         26 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 23 , wherein a plurality of the finger-shaped rods positioned at the first and second ends are of substantially equal length. 
     
     
         27 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of equal length finger-shaped rods positioned at the first and second ends are releasably connected to at least one finger-shaped rod positioned at the center of the bandage. 
     
     
         28 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 23 , wherein the center of the bandage includes at least one finger-shaped rod having a securing device for removably securing a finger-shaped stiffening rod thereto. 
     
     
         29 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 28 , wherein a plurality of finger-shaped stiffening rods are secured to a corresponding plurality of finger-shaped rods, and wherein the finger-shaped rods are interconnected to form an stiffening part. 
     
     
         30 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 23 , wherein the finger-shaped rods are releasably secured on the bandage. 
     
     
         31 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 23 , wherein at least two finger-shaped rods are interconnected by a web spanning therebetween. 
     
     
         32 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 23 , wherein the at least two finger-shaped rods are interconnected by a spring element spanning therebetween. 
     
     
         33 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 32  wherein the distance between the finger-shaped rods are variable. 
     
     
         34 . A lower back orthosis comprising:
 a bandage sized and shaped to be positioned on a lower back of a patient and including a first end, a second end and a center;   a support device connected to the bandage, which includes a plurality of interconnected finger-shaped rods oriented in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the patient's spine; and   an tightening strap positioned to apply a force to the support device in the direction of the patient's spine.   
     
     
         35 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 34  wherein the tightening strap is secured to the finger-shaped rods by at least one guide. 
     
     
         36 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 35  wherein a plurality of guides are intregrally secured to the finger-shaped rods. 
     
     
         37 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 35  wherein the at least one guide includes at least two parallel wires upon which the tightening strap is positioned. 
     
     
         38 . The lower back orthosis of  claim 34  wherein the tightening strap is releasably secured to the bandage. 
     
     
         39 . An orthosis adapted to be positioned around a lower back of a patient, the orthosis comprising:
 a bandage having a first portion, a second portion and a center portion, wherein the center portion is positioned between the first and second portions and is wider than the first and second portions;   a plurality of elongate rods releasably secured to the bandage, each having a first portion, a second portion and a center portion, and wherein the center portion is wider than the first and second portions.   
     
     
         40 . The orthosis of  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of elongate rods are interconnected by one or more web elements spanning therebetween. 
     
     
         41 . The orthosis of  claim 40 , wherein the web elements include spring elements. 
     
     
         42 . The orthosis of  claim 41 , wherein the spring elements are secured to the elongate rods such that the distance between the rods is variable along the spring elements.