GB2138689A

GB2138689A - Device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient

Info

Publication number: GB2138689A
Application number: GB08410750A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Waddington Coplans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-04-26
Filing date: 1984-04-26
Publication date: 1984-10-31
Also published as: GB8410750D0

Abstract

A device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient which comprises an elongate leather strap (10) which has a pair of protruding wedge formations (12) on one face thereof. The device in use is placed around the user's neck and handles (14) at the ends firmly grasped. The handles (14) of the strap are then pulled in opposite directions to compress the soft tissue on each side of the spinous process and exert a rotary force acting on the spinous process. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient This invention relates to a device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient.

With advancing age and also with osteoarthritis, the neck joints become less and less mobile. Thus, to look to either side, a sufferer must turn his or her whole upper torso.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple device which will enable the neck joints to be mobilized and will perpetuate the mobility resulting from manipulation by medical and paramedical practitioners.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient, the device comprising an elongate strap with a protruding wedge formation on one side thereof, the protruding formation having a first face which lies at a relatively shallow angle to the surface of the strap and extends in the direction of the length of the strap and a second face which lies at a relatively steep angle with respect to the surface of the strap and also extends in the direction of the length of the strap, there being a curving surface which merges smoothly with both said first surface and said second surface.

According to a preferred embodiment the device comprises two of said formations spaced from one another along the length of the strap, said formations having the steeply inclined surfaces thereof facing towards one another.

Said formations can be movable with respect to one another along the strap.

To impart to the device an acceptable 'feel' when applied to the patient's neck, said formations can be constituted by leather covered padding material.

The protruding formations can be a fixed distance apart on the strap. Alternatively, the protruding formations can be movable relatively to one another along the strap so that the spacing between them can be varied.

The strap can have button holes therein and the protruding formations can carry buttons whereby the protruding formations can be secured to the strap at a plurality of different points. Alternatively, there can be a strip of''Velcro' on the strap and each protruding formation can also carry a piece of 'Velcro.' For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 illustrates a device in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 2 illustrates the manner in which the device of Figure 1 is used.

The device illustrated in Figure 1 comprises an elongate strap 10 which is preferably of leather but which can be of synthetic plastics material.

Preferably, the strap comprises three layers, the middle layer imparting strength to the strap and being covered on each side by a layer of leather.

Two protruding wedge formations 12 are provided on one face of the strap 10. It is preferred that the formations 1 2 be created by placing suitably shaped firm but resilient padding masses between one of the two layers of leather and the middle layer of the belt. The ends of the strap are turned over on themselves to form handles 14.

Simply by way of example, a practical form of the device is between 80 and 100cm long and each formation 12 stands proud of the face of the strap by between 1 and 2 cm. Each formation 12, measured longitudinally of the belt, is between 4 and 5 cm in length. The formations 1 2 are 10 to 1 5 cm apart and the width of the strap is between 2 and 4 cm.

The shape of the formations 12 is made compatible with the lateral aspects of the laminae and spinous process.

In use of the device, the strap is placed around the back of the patient's neck N (shown in section in Figure 2) so that the handles 1 4 lie anterior to the neck and are firmly grasped by the patient's hands. When the protruding formations 1 2 are in the correct position, they lie one on each side of the spinous process S and laminae L of the vertebra V to which they have been applied. The spacing between the formations is such that when one of the handles 1 4 of the strap is displaced anteriorly, one of the formations (the right hand one as shown in Figure 2) compresses the musculature on one side of the laminae L of the vertebra V. When the same handle 14 of the strap is firmly pulled, this produces rotary forces acting on the spinous process and laminae of the vertebra, causing the vertebra to rotate.This rotation, by reason of the mechanics of the cervical joints, is relatively small except for the atlanto-axial joint which has a larger range of rotation. The movement produced by repeatedly tugging on the strap is sufficient effectively to mobilise the joints of the neck. The strap is then moved around the neck until the other formation comes into co-operating relationship with the spinous process, and then tugged in the opposite direction. The formations are moved up and down the neck while tugging so that all the neck vertebrae are mobilized.

While it is preferred that two formations 12 be provided, it is possible to provide a single formation. In this form the strap must be turned around to enable the spinous process to be displaced in the opposite direction.

The two formations could also be on opposite sides of the strap which must then be turned over to bring the other formation into use.

1. A device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient, the device comprising an elongate strap with a protruding wedge formation on one side thereof, the protruding formation having a first face which lies at a relatively shaliow angle to the surface of the strap and extends in the direction of the length of the strap and a second face which

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient This invention relates to a device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient. With advancing age and also with osteoarthritis, the neck joints become less and less mobile. Thus, to look to either side, a sufferer must turn his or her whole upper torso. The object of the present invention is to provide a simple device which will enable the neck joints to be mobilized and will perpetuate the mobility resulting from manipulation by medical and paramedical practitioners. According to the present invention there is provided a device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient, the device comprising an elongate strap with a protruding wedge formation on one side thereof, the protruding formation having a first face which lies at a relatively shallow angle to the surface of the strap and extends in the direction of the length of the strap and a second face which lies at a relatively steep angle with respect to the surface of the strap and also extends in the direction of the length of the strap, there being a curving surface which merges smoothly with both said first surface and said second surface. According to a preferred embodiment the device comprises two of said formations spaced from one another along the length of the strap, said formations having the steeply inclined surfaces thereof facing towards one another. Said formations can be movable with respect to one another along the strap. To impart to the device an acceptable 'feel' when applied to the patient's neck, said formations can be constituted by leather covered padding material. The protruding formations can be a fixed distance apart on the strap. Alternatively, the protruding formations can be movable relatively to one another along the strap so that the spacing between them can be varied. The strap can have button holes therein and the protruding formations can carry buttons whereby the protruding formations can be secured to the strap at a plurality of different points. Alternatively, there can be a strip of''Velcro' on the strap and each protruding formation can also carry a piece of 'Velcro.' For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 illustrates a device in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 2 illustrates the manner in which the device of Figure 1 is used. The device illustrated in Figure 1 comprises an elongate strap 10 which is preferably of leather but which can be of synthetic plastics material. Preferably, the strap comprises three layers, the middle layer imparting strength to the strap and being covered on each side by a layer of leather. Two protruding wedge formations 12 are provided on one face of the strap 10. It is preferred that the formations 1 2 be created by placing suitably shaped firm but resilient padding masses between one of the two layers of leather and the middle layer of the belt. The ends of the strap are turned over on themselves to form handles 14. Simply by way of example, a practical form of the device is between 80 and 100cm long and each formation 12 stands proud of the face of the strap by between 1 and 2 cm. Each formation 12, measured longitudinally of the belt, is between 4 and 5 cm in length. The formations 1 2 are 10 to 1 5 cm apart and the width of the strap is between 2 and 4 cm. The shape of the formations 12 is made compatible with the lateral aspects of the laminae and spinous process. In use of the device, the strap is placed around the back of the patient's neck N (shown in section in Figure 2) so that the handles 1 4 lie anterior to the neck and are firmly grasped by the patient's hands. When the protruding formations 1 2 are in the correct position, they lie one on each side of the spinous process S and laminae L of the vertebra V to which they have been applied. The spacing between the formations is such that when one of the handles 1 4 of the strap is displaced anteriorly, one of the formations (the right hand one as shown in Figure 2) compresses the musculature on one side of the laminae L of the vertebra V. When the same handle 14 of the strap is firmly pulled, this produces rotary forces acting on the spinous process and laminae of the vertebra, causing the vertebra to rotate.This rotation, by reason of the mechanics of the cervical joints, is relatively small except for the atlanto-axial joint which has a larger range of rotation. The movement produced by repeatedly tugging on the strap is sufficient effectively to mobilise the joints of the neck. The strap is then moved around the neck until the other formation comes into co-operating relationship with the spinous process, and then tugged in the opposite direction. The formations are moved up and down the neck while tugging so that all the neck vertebrae are mobilized. While it is preferred that two formations 12 be provided, it is possible to provide a single formation. In this form the strap must be turned around to enable the spinous process to be displaced in the opposite direction. The two formations could also be on opposite sides of the strap which must then be turned over to bring the other formation into use. CLAIMS

1. A device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient, the device comprising an elongate strap with a protruding wedge formation on one side thereof, the protruding formation having a first face which lies at a relatively shaliow angle to the surface of the strap and extends in the direction of the length of the strap and a second face which lies at a relatively steep angle with respect to the surface of the strap and also extends in the direction of the length of the strap, there being a curving surface which merges smoothly with both said first surface and said second surface.

2. A device according to claim 1, and comprising two of said formations spaced from one another along the length of the belt, said formation having the steeply inclined surfaces thereof facing towards one another.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said formations are movable with respect to one another along the strap.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said formations are constituted by leather covered padding material.

5. A device for mobilising the neck joints of a patient substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.