PELVIC ALIGNMENT DEVICE

Description

This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 63/700,200 filed on Sep. 27, 2024, and entitled Pelvic Alignment Device.

Pelvic alignment devices described herein may be used in the therapeutic treatment of pelvic misalignment through isometric exercises. Certain pelvic alignment devices disclosed herein may be used in adduction exercises. Certain pelvic alignment devices described herein may further be useful in patient directed exercise without manipulations from a therapist. The devices described may also be used in similar exercises outside of the therapeutic context.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the pelvic alignment device.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the pelvic alignment device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pelvic alignment device.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the pelvic alignment device.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the pelvic alignment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 depict a pelvic alignment device 100 which may be characterized by the following components and descriptions:

• • band 110,
  • band center 120,
  • medial brace bend 128,
  • band medial brace 130,
  • primary brace bend 138,
  • primary brace 160,
  • pressure distribution contour 170,
  • pressure distribution surface 171,
  • band lateral brace bend 178,
  • band lateral brace 180,
  • lateral extension bend 188,
  • lateral extension 190,
  • supplemental medial brace 200,
  • combined medial brace 210,
  • handle 230,
  • x-axis 300,
  • y-axis 310,
  • z-axis 320,
  • first side 330,
  • second side 333,
  • lateral width direction indication 360, and
  • distal width direction indication 363.

The pelvic alignment device may be used to engage the thighs of a user during exercise or therapeutic activities. The pelvic alignment device may include a band, a pair of supplemental medial braces, and a pair of handles. The band may be configured as depicted in the figures such that the band extends outward along a z-axis giving the band a distal width. The band center extends laterally along the x-axis sloping from horizontal to vertical such that on the first side slope is upward and on the second side the slope is downward. On both sides the medial brace bend connects the band center to the band medial braces. The band medial braces are vertically oriented such that the band medial brace on the first side extends upward and the band medial brace on the second side extends downward relative to the band center. The primary brace bends connect the band medial braces to the primary braces which extend horizontally and outwardly from the primary brace bends. The primary brace may have a pressure distribution contour to aid in pressure distribution along the thigh when the thigh is pressed against the primary brace. The band lateral brace bend extends from the primary brace bending downward on the first side and upward on the second side into the vertically oriented band lateral brace. The band lateral brace extends to a lateral extension bend on both sides which turns into the horizontally oriented lateral extension. A handle may be situated at the end of the lateral extension for gripping the edge of the pelvic alignment device. Supplemental medial braces may be configured to attach to the band such that they align with the band medial braces forming combined medial braces. Descriptions of orientations are generally consistent with the depiction of FIG. 3 with the x-axis being associated with length such that lateral width may be measured along the x-axis, y-axis being associated with height, and the z-axis being associated with distal width such that distal width may be measured along the z-axis. These descriptions apply to the depicted orientation associated with FIGS. 1-4 as the device may be used in more than one orientation. FIG. 5, for example, depicts an alternate orientation.

FIG. 5 depicts a pelvic alignment device having an alternate construction. The pelvic alignment device depicted shares a variety of characteristics with the previous embodiments with a few notable differences. The supplemental medial braces are metal bands similar to the band depicted in the previous embodiments. The supplemental medial braces may have pressure distribution contours. The supplemental medial braces may be bolted to the band or attached by other suitable means. The pelvic alignment device may be configured with four handles allowing the user to engage with the pelvic alignment device in a way that lessens bending or hunching of the back that may contribute to ergonomic problems. In such a configuration, the handles may be in an anterior position relative to the thighs. Because the pelvic alignment device may be flipped for opposing exercises, the remaining two handles would have a posterior position relative to the thighs of a user. Depending on the configuration of the band, an appropriate number of handle extensions may be used to properly position the handles for that ergonomic use.

The pelvic alignment device is arranged and configured, such that it is useful in physical therapy broadly with particular utility in muscle-energy-technique therapy, pelvic alignment therapy, and muscle-energy-technique pelvic alignment therapy. The pelvic alignment device may be characterized as a pelvic muscle energy device. The device is further useful in the context of isometric exercise and while techniques are broadly described herein in the therapeutic context, the versions of the pelvic alignment device described may also be used in isometric exercise. The general phrase “therapeutic device” as used herein generically and collectively denotes a device that has use in physical therapy, isometric exercise, or both.

For reference, the placement of the pelvic alignment device relative to a user's thighs is described with reference to a user in a supine position. From the perspective of a user in the supine position, the pelvic alignment device could be situated, as a first example, such that the user's right thigh is below the first side primary brace and the user's left thigh is above the second side primary brace. Rotation of the pelvic alignment device allows for a second example orientation. From the perspective of a user in the supine position, the pelvic alignment device could be situated, as a second example, such that the user's right thigh is above the first side primary brace and the user's left thigh is below the second side primary brace. These supine position orientations are for clarity regarding the orientation of the pelvic alignment device to the thighs of the user. Most uses of the pelvic alignment device would have the user in a position in which the user's thighs are by angle relative to the spine closer to the sitting position. This thigh angle approximating the sitting position may be an actual sitting position or may have the user on his or her back. These or other body positions are possible during use of the pelvic alignment device. While there are a variety of positions for use of the pelvic alignment device, the orientation of the pelvic alignment device relative to the thighs is generally described herein from the supine position for clarity.

With the pelvic alignment device placed relative to the user's thighs as in the preceding first example or the second example, the user may bring their thighs and the pelvic alignment device to a thigh angle approximating the sitting position allowing a comfortable and ergonomic gripping of the handles. That user would then press their thighs against the primary braces in a muscle-energy-technique pelvic alignment therapy. After the exercise sequence using the pelvic alignment device in the first example orientation, the pelvic alignment device may be rotated around the x-axis by 180° into the second example orientation such that the thighs may again be pressed against the primary braces in a comparable exercise that conditions the opposite sets of muscles for each side of the body. Such muscle-energy-technique pelvic alignment therapy may build strength and may have therapeutic effects relating to pelvic alignment. The pelvic alignment device may for example be used in a physical therapy setting.

The versatility and simplicity of the pelvic alignment device is more apparent when considering the differences between potential users and how those potential users may interact with the device to engage in a variety of variations of the above-described exercise. Multiple terms presented below are provided to aid in the discussion and understanding of the differences between users and differences in how the device may be used. As that phrase is used herein “femoral axis” (femoral axes) is the axis passing through the center of gravity of the femur for which rotational inertia of the femur is minimized. As used herein, the phrase “front-splitting” indicates a tendency to increase the component of the angle between the femoral axes that would project onto a lateral view of the user. Accordingly, a “front-splitting angle” is the component of the angle between the femoral axes that would project onto an anatomical lateral view of the user. As used herein, a gymnast performing a front split would increase the front-splitting angle until the front-splitting angle was near 180 degrees. As used herein, the phrase “side-splitting” indicates a tendency to increase the component of the angle between the femoral axes that would project onto an anatomical anterior-frontal view of the user. Accordingly, a “side-splitting angle” is the component of the angle between the femoral axes that would project onto an anterior-frontal view of the user. As used herein, a gymnast performing a side split would increase the side-splitting angle until the side-splitting angle was near 180 degrees. As described herein, descriptions of side-splitting and front-splitting of the thighs are considered from the standard atomical position for clarity with the understanding that the muscle-energy-technique pelvic alignment therapy could be carried out from many positions.

Different users may have different hip widths which may be characterized by separation of the femoral axes when the femoral axes are parallel. One user may have a 10-inch parallel femoral separation while another user may have a 12-inch parallel femoral separation. Due to the length of the primary brace, both users may use the pelvic alignment device to engage in front-splitting muscle-energy-technique pelvic alignment therapy while maintaining the femoral axes in parallel from the anatomical anterior-frontal view of the user. Due to the length of the primary brace, both users may engage in front-splitting muscle-energy-technique pelvic alignment therapy while maintaining a negative side-splitting angle. That is, the exercise may be conducted with the knees closer together than they would be when the femoral axes were parallel. Similarly, due to the length of the primary brace, both users may engage in front-splitting muscle-energy-technique pelvic alignment therapy while maintaining a positive side-splitting angle. That is, the exercise may be conducted with the knees further apart than they would be when the femoral axes were parallel.

The pressure distribution contour is oriented to arc along the length of the primary brace such that the pressure of the thighs engaged in a front-splitting exercise would be distributed across the distal width of the band. The arc of the pressure distribution contour is further configured such that the greatest pressure may be found in the middle third of the primary brace as measured across the distal width of the band. Such pressure distribution, in particular the reduction of pressure on the thigh at the edges of the band increases comfort and minimizes chances for injury through a range of exercises. Avoidance of injury or discomfort may occur by the gentle dissipation of pressure during use along the distal width of the band such that there is no sharp change in the pressure applied by the pelvic alignment device against the thigh. The arc of the pressure distribution contour achieves these benefits across a broad range of parallel femoral separations and across a broad range of side-splitting angles for a broad variety of parallel femoral separations.

The length of the pelvic alignment device may be 31 inches from the inside of one handle to the inside of the next handle. The combined length of the band center and the two medial brace bends may be 3.5 inches as measured by the center-on-center separation of one band medial brace from the other. The center-on-center separation of the band medial brace from the band lateral brace may be 8.13 inches. The band center and the lateral extensions may be co-planar and be separated from the primary brace by a center-on-center separation of 3.44 inches. The bends of the bar including the medial brace band, the primary brace bends, the band lateral brace bends, and the lateral extension bends may have a 1.31-inch bend radius. The band distal width may be 3 inches, and the handle may have a 1.25-inch diameter. The total height of the pelvic alignment device may be 7 inches. The pressure distribution contour may be constructed with a radius of 9 inches allowing for the described pressure distribution characteristics.

The pelvic alignment device may come in multiple sizes suitable for patients and users of different sizes. An example pelvic alignment device for larger users expands on the device dimensions referenced above providing an adduction limiting center portion that is 6 inches wide and primary braces that are 2 inches wider than the above-described dimensions. In another example, a device suitable for smaller users may have an adduction limiting center portion with 3 inches of lateral width connected to primary braces that have a combined 6 inches of lateral width when the primary brace bend and the band lateral brace bend are included in that width.

As that phrase is used herein “adduction limiting center portion” indicates the portion of the pelvic alignment device that a user would squeeze between their thighs when practicing an isometric adduction exercise.

As that phrase is used herein “abduction limiting sides” indicates the portion of the pelvic alignment device that a user would press against when opening the thighs with a positive side-splitting motion or force. For example, the band lateral braces may serve as abduction limiting sides. The pressure distribution surfaces forcibly engaged by the user in either adduction or abduction exercises may be characterized as side-splitting pressure distribution surfaces. Examples of side-splitting pressure distribution surfaces include the band medial braces and the band lateral braces. Any individual side-splitting pressure distribution surface may have a curvature that reduces pressure on the thigh at the edges of the pressure distribution surface. The side-splitting pressure distribution surface curvature radius may, for example, be 4.0 inches with certain examples falling between 2.5 and 14.0 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 3.0 and 4.5 inches. The primary brace bend pressure distribution surface curvature radius may, for example, be 3.0 inches with certain examples falling between 2.0 and 12.0 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 2.5 and 4.0 inches.

Pressure distribution contours generally have convex characteristics, but many specific examples of those convex characteristics may be characterized as curves, and those curves may be constant radius curves. Pressure distribution contours that have variable radius curvatures may include a curvature portion with a curvature radius of between 2.5 and 4.0 inches.

The first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a lateral width greater than 3 inches. In certain cases, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a lateral width greater than 4 inches, and in many cases, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a lateral width greater than 5 inches.

The first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a distal width greater than 2 inches. In certain cases, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a distal width greater than 2.3 inches, and in many cases, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a distal width greater than 2.6 inches.

The first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a surface area greater than 8 square inches. In certain cases, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a surface area greater than 10 square inches, and in many cases, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a surface area greater than 12 square inches.

The first medial brace and the second medial brace may be separated by at least 2.5 inches. In certain cases, the first medial brace and the second medial brace may be separated by at least 2.8 inches, and in many cases, the first medial brace and the second medial brace may be separated by at least 3.0 inches.

Adduction exercises may be conducted on the pelvic alignment device by squeezing the thighs inward in an anti-side-splitting squeeze of the thighs against the combined medial brace. These adduction exercises allow the pelvic alignment device to address pubic symphysis and help open the SI joint in addition to the therapeutic exercises otherwise described herein.

Because the bar may be constructed from a single piece of metal, such as aluminum, steel, or various alloys, the bar may have strength advantages over other devices in which the bar does not have a unitary construction. Such construction may also have a high durability as compared to devices containing foam and soft plastics. The thickness of the metal bar may be 0.13 to 0.25 inches. For example, the bar may be 0.125 inches thick. In certain embodiments, the bar may be constructed of plastic and may be thicker, include additional bracing, or both to limit the flex of the bar.

The supplemental medial braces may be constructed of durable plastic, rubber, or other materials.

Therapeutic devices described herein may, for example, comprise a first primary brace; a first primary brace pressure distribution surface; a second primary brace; a second primary brace pressure distribution surface; an adduction limiting center portion connected to the first primary brace and the second primary brace; a first handle attached to the first primary brace, wherein the first handle is positioned laterally of the primary brace; and a second handle attached to the second primary brace, wherein the second handle is positioned laterally of the primary brace; such that the first primary brace pressure distribution surface is convex; the first primary brace pressure distribution surface has a surface area greater than 8 square inches; the first primary brace has a thickness of less than 0.5 inches; and such that the first primary brace pressure distribution surface faces a direction opposite the second primary brace pressure distribution surface. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface and the second primary brace pressure distribution surface may be arranged and configured for a muscle-energy-technique pelvic alignment therapy in which the patient simultaneously presses against the first primary brace pressure distribution surface with a first thigh and presses against the second primary brace pressure distribution surface with a second thigh. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may be oriented toward a first thigh opening, wherein the second primary brace pressure distribution surface is oriented toward a second thigh opening, and wherein the first thigh opening and the second thigh opening are large enough to accommodate a patient's thighs across a range of side-splitting angles. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may be arranged and configured to support front-splitting isometric exercise across a range of lateral leg positions. In a related example, the adduction limiting center portion may be arranged and configured for isometric adduction exercises. In a related example, the adduction limiting center portion may be at least 2.5 inches wide. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a lateral width greater than 4 inches.

Therapeutic devices described herein may, for example, comprise a first primary brace; a first primary brace pressure distribution surface; a second primary brace; a second primary brace pressure distribution surface; a central structure comprising a first medial brace and a second medial brace wherein the central structure is connected to the first primary brace and the second primary brace; a first handle attached to the first primary brace, wherein the first handle is positioned laterally of the primary brace; and a second handle attached to the second primary brace, wherein the second handle is positioned laterally of the primary brace; such that the first primary brace pressure distribution surface has a lateral width greater than 3 inches; the first primary brace pressure distribution surface has a distal width greater than 2 inches; the first primary brace has a thickness of less than 0.5 inches; and such that the first primary brace pressure distribution surface faces a direction opposite the second primary brace pressure distribution surface. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may be convex. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface and the second primary brace pressure distribution surface may be arranged and configured for a muscle-energy-technique pelvic alignment therapy in which the patient simultaneously presses against the first primary brace pressure distribution surface with a first thigh and presses against the second primary brace pressure distribution surface with a second thigh. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may be oriented toward a first thigh opening, wherein the second primary brace pressure distribution surface is oriented toward a second thigh opening, and wherein the first thigh opening and the second thigh opening are large enough to accommodate a patient's thighs across a range of side-splitting angles. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may be arranged and configured to support front-splitting isometric exercise across a range of lateral leg positions. In a related example, the first medial brace and the second medial brace may be cooperatively arranged and configured as supports for isometric adduction exercises. In a related example, the first medial brace and the second medial brace may be separated by at least 2.5 inches. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a lateral width greater than 4 inches and the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a distal width greater than 2.5 inches. In a related example, the first primary brace may be oriented parallel to the second primary brace and the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have edges that taper away from a first thigh opening. In a related example, the first medial brace and the second medial brace may be separated by at least 3 inches. In a related example, the first primary brace pressure distribution surface may have a radius of curvature greater than the distal width of the first primary brace pressure distribution surface. In a related example, the therapeutic device may also have a third handle and a fourth handle. In a related example, the therapeutic device may also have a third handle attached to the first primary brace, such that the third handle is positioned laterally of the primary brace and such that relative to the thigh of a user the third handle is positioned anterior to the first handle.

The above-described embodiments have a number of independently useful individual features that have particular utility when used in combination with one another including combinations of features from embodiments described separately. There are, of course, other alternate embodiments which are obvious from the foregoing descriptions, which are intended to be included within the scope of the present application.