Robert M Catipovic

US Patent:

53205960, Jun 14, 1994

Filed:

Dec 14, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/990160

Inventors:

Robert M. Catipovic - Grand Island NY
Joseph C. Mollendorf - Amherst NY
Lilian A. Pascale - Niagara Falls NY

Assignee:

The Research Foundation of State Univ. of NY - Albany NY

International Classification:

A61F 504

US Classification:

602 18

Abstract:

A cervical orthosis is provided which supports the weight of the head with a chin support having a pair of transverse members extending rearward from the chin support to the wearer's shoulder. The transverse members are joined at the shoulder to a pair of vertical members which travel down the wearer's back. The orthosis is secured to the wearer by means of a belt attached to the lower ends of the transverse member which is fastened about the wearer's torso. In a preferred embodiment the orthosis is formed of one continuous piece of a suitably rigid material and conforms to the contours of the wearer's body. A method of forming a customized orthosis to conform to the contours of a wearer positioned in a desired posture is also provided.

US Patent:

54110386, May 2, 1995

Filed:

Apr 15, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/227952

Inventors:

Joseph C. Mollendorf - Amherst NY
Robert M. Catipovic - Grand Island NY
Lillian A. Pascale - Niagara Falls NY

Assignee:

The Research Foundation of State University of New York - Albany NY

International Classification:

A61F 500

US Classification:

128898

Abstract:

A cervical orthosis is provided which supports the weight of the head with a chin support having a pair of transverse members extending rearward from the chin support to the wearer's shoulder. The transverse members are joined at the shoulder to a pair of vertical members which travel down the wearer's back. The orthosis is secured to the wearer a belt attached to the lower ends of the transverse member which is fastened about the wearer's torso. In a preferred embodiment the orthosis is formed of one continuous piece of a suitably rigid material and conforms to the contours of the wearer's body. A method of forming a customized orthosis to conform to the contours of a wearer positioned in a desired posture is also provided. An embodiment which is preferable for production by vacuum forming is disclosed. A method of using the apparatus for incrementally adjusting the position of a patient's head or the curvature of a patient's spine is disclosed.