Immobilization device

Abstract

An immobilization device including an anterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human chest and an anterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped anterior section generally corresponding to the sternum of the wearer. The device also includes a posterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human back and a posterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped section corresponding to the spinal column of the wearer, with elongate cushion elements connected to and extending within a width of the posterior outwardly bowed area. A strapping system connects both the anterior and posterior components to one another.

1 . An immobilization device, comprising:
 an anterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human chest, the anterior component forming an anterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped anterior section and corresponding to the sternum of the human chest;   a posterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human back, the posterior component forming an elongate posterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped section and corresponding to the spinal column of the human back;   at least one elongate cushion element connected to and generally confined within a width of the posterior outwardly bowed area; and   a strapping system connecting the anterior and posterior components.   
     
     
         2 . The immobilization device according to  claim 1 , wherein the posterior component defines upper and lower portions, the posterior outwardly bowed area only located at an upper portion of the posterior component. 
     
     
         3 . The immobilization device according to  claim 1 , wherein the posterior outwardly bowed portion is three-dimensionally shaped relative to the two-dimensional shaped section forming the remainder of the posterior component. 
     
     
         4 . The immobilization device according to  claim 1 , wherein the posterior component defines an elongate opening extending between upper and lower portions of the posterior component and generally corresponding to the spinal column of the human back. 
     
     
         5 . The immobilization device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cushion element is adhered to the posterior component within the posterior outwardly bowed area at an upper portion of the posterior component, and extends past the posterior bowed area to a lower portion of the posterior component. 
     
     
         6 . The immobilization device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cushion element includes two elongate cushion elements extending along opposed sides of an elongate opening extending between upper and lower portions of the posterior component and generally corresponding to the spinal column of the human back. 
     
     
         7 . The immobilization device according to  claim 1 , wherein the posterior component defines opposed upper arms each having a living hinge, the strapping system connecting to the upper arms and extending over the complaint hinges. 
     
     
         8 . An immobilization device, comprising:
 an anterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human chest, the anterior component forming an anterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped anterior section and corresponding to the sternum of the human chest;   a posterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human back, the posterior component forming a posterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped section corresponding to the spinal column of the human back;   a lower strapping system including,   first and second lower strap stabilizers having a first end connected to corresponding first and second sides, respectively, of a lower portion of the posterior component;   first and second slots formed on the anterior component for loosely receiving a second end of the first and second lower strap stabilizers, respectively;   first and second elastic lower straps having a first end connected to the first and second chest strap stabilizers at the lower portion of the posterior component, respectively, the lower elastic straps adjustably extending over the first and second lower strap stabilizers and having second ends securable to one another.   
     
     
         9 . The immobilization device according to  claim 8 , wherein the second end of the lower strap stabilizers are trimmable in length. 
     
     
         10 . The immobilization device according to  claim 8 , wherein the lower strap stabilizers define a retention element near the first end thereof arranged for retaining the lower elastic straps in close proximity therewith on the posterior side of the immobilization device. 
     
     
         11 . The immobilization device according to  claim 8 , wherein the lower strap stabilizers are detachably connected to the posterior component. 
     
     
         12 . The immobilization device according to  claim 8 , wherein the lower strap stabilizers have greater rigidity than the elastic straps. 
     
     
         13 . The immobilization device according to  claim 8 , further comprising an upper strapping system including:
 first and second upper strap stabilizers having a first end connected to corresponding first and second sides, respectively, of an upper portion of the posterior component;   first and second upper straps having a first end connected to the first and second sides of the upper portion of the posterior component, respectively, the upper straps adjustably extending over and beyond the first and second upper strap stabilizers and connecting to corresponding first and second sides of an upper portion of the anterior component.   
     
     
         14 . The immobilization device according to  claim 13 , wherein the first and second sides of the upper portion of the posterior component each define a living hinge permitting articulation of the upper portion of the posterior upon tensioning of the upper straps.