Systems and methods for decompression, elliptical traction, and linear traction of the occiput, cervical spine, and thoracic spine

Abstract

A traction device comprises a frame, a first bladder portion, a second bladder portion, and a third inflatable bladder portion. The first bladder expands in an outward direction a distance greater than in a transverse direction. The second bladder expands in a first angular direction. The second bladder is positioned generally inferior to and to the side of the first bladder. The third bladder expands in a second angular direction. Upon expanding in the outward direction, the first bladder bears against the back of the user's neck. Upon expanding in the transverse direction, the first bladder applies an angular traction to the cervical spine. Upon expanding in the first angular direction, the second bladder bears angularly against the back of the user's upper thoracic region. Upon expanding in the third angular direction, the third bladder bears angularly against the user's occiput.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating a spine, the method comprising steps of:
 securing a traction device to a head of a user, the traction device comprising a support frame having a transverse neck support projecting upwardly from a base of the support frame and first and second inflatable bladder portions coupled to the neck support, wherein securing the traction device to the head comprises positioning the traction device such that the first inflatable bladder portion transverses a cervical spine of the user, and such that the second inflatable bladder portion transverses an occiput of the user;   expanding the first inflatable bladder portion in a direction outward from the neck support and toward and substantially normal to the cervical spine to force the cervical spine to curve forwardly;   expanding the first inflatable bladder portion in a transverse direction to apply an angular traction to the cervical spine; and   expanding the second inflatable bladder portion in a direction toward the occiput to apply an angular traction to the cervical spine.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising the step of alternately inflating and deflating the first and second bladder portions. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising the step of repeating inflation and deflation of the first and second bladder portions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second inflatable bladder portion has a semi-ellipsoidal configuration upon inflation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the traction device comprises a third inflatable bladder portion coupled to the neck support, wherein securing the traction device to the head comprises positioning the traction device such that the third inflatable bladder portion transverses an upper thoracic spine of the user. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the traction device comprises a valve positioned in communication with a pump system, the first inflatable bladder portion, and the second inflatable bladder portion, wherein the method further comprises directing flow from the pump system through the valve to the first inflatable bladder portion and the second inflatable bladder portion. 
     
     
         21 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A traction device comprising:
 a frame having a base and a neck support coupled to the base to support the neck of a user during use;   an inflatable bladder portion coupled to the neck support, the inflatable bladder portion configured to expand in an angular direction from the neck support; and   wherein upon the inflatable bladder portion expanding in the angular direction, the inflatable bladder portion bears angularly against the back of the upper thoracic region and the mid thoracic region of the user as the inflatable bladder is inflated and forces the thoracic spine to decompress and reduces hyper-kyphosis of the upper thoracic spine and the mid thoracic spine.   
     
     
         29 . The traction device of  claim 28 , wherein the inflatable bladder portion is a first inflatable bladder portion, wherein the angular direction is a first angular direction, the traction device further comprising a second inflatable bladder portion coupled to the neck support, the second inflatable bladder portion bladder portion being expandable in a second angular direction from the neck support toward a occiput of the user upon inflation, wherein upon the second inflatable bladder portion expanding in the second angular direction, the second inflatable bladder portion bears angularly against the occiput of the user as the second inflatable bladder is inflated and forces the occipital-cervical junction to decompress. 
     
     
         30 . The traction device of  claim 29 , further comprising a third inflatable bladder portion coupled to the neck support, the third inflatable bladder portion configured to expand in an outward direction from the neck support toward the neck of the user and expandable in a transverse direction substantially normal to the outward direction upon inflation, wherein upon the third inflatable bladder portion expanding in the outward direction, the third inflatable bladder portion bears outwardly against the back of the neck of the user as the third inflatable bladder is inflated and forces the cervical spine to curve forwardly, and upon expanding in the transverse direction, the third inflatable bladder portion applies an angular traction to the cervical spine as the third inflatable bladder is inflated. 
     
     
         31 . The traction device of  claim 28 , wherein the inflatable bladder portion is a first inflatable bladder portion, the traction device further comprising a second inflatable bladder portion coupled to the neck support, the second inflatable bladder portion configured to expand in an outward direction from the neck support toward the neck of the user and expandable in a transverse direction substantially normal to the outward direction upon inflation, wherein upon the second inflatable bladder portion expanding in the outward direction, the second inflatable bladder portion bears outwardly against the back of the neck of the user as the second inflatable bladder is inflated and forces the cervical spine to curve forwardly, and upon expanding in the transverse direction, the second inflatable bladder portion applies an angular traction to the cervical spine as the second inflatable bladder is inflated. 
     
     
         32 . The traction device of  claim 28 , further comprising a spacer configured to be coupled between a portion of the frame and the inflatable bladder portion to adjust the angulation of the inflatable bladder portion during inflation. 
     
     
         33 . The traction device of  claim 32 , wherein the spacer is a wedge-shaped spacer. 
     
     
         34 . The traction device of  claim 32 , wherein the spacer is rotatable. 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a spine, the method comprising steps of:
 securing a traction device to a head of a user, the traction device comprising a support frame having a transverse neck support projecting upwardly from a base of the support frame and first and second inflatable bladder portions coupled to the neck support, wherein securing the traction device to the head comprises positioning the traction device such that the first inflatable bladder portion transverses an upper thoracic spine of the user, and such that the second inflatable bladder portion transverses an occiput of the user;   expanding the first inflatable bladder portion in a direction toward the upper thoracic spine to force the thoracic spine to decompress and reduce hyper-kyphosis of the upper thoracic spine; and   expanding the second inflatable bladder portion in a direction toward the occiput to apply an angular traction to a cervical spine of the user.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , comprising the step of alternately inflating and deflating the first and second bladder portions. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , comprising the step of repeating inflation and deflation of the first and second bladder portions. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the second inflatable bladder portion has a semi-ellipsoidal configuration upon inflation. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the traction device comprises a third inflatable bladder portion coupled to the neck support, wherein securing the traction device to the head comprises positioning the traction device such that the third inflatable bladder portion transverses a cervical spine of the user. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the third inflatable bladder portion is positioned between the first inflatable bladder portion and the second inflatable bladder portion. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the traction device comprises a valve positioned in communication with a pump system, the first inflatable bladder portion, and the second inflatable bladder portion, wherein the method further comprises directing flow from the pump system through the valve to the first inflatable bladder portion and the second inflatable bladder portion.