CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/GB2017/051987 filed Jul. 6, 2017, which claims priority from Application 1611789.7 filed on Jul. 6, 2016 in the United Kingdom. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a brace and a method of fitting a brace. In particular, they relate to a brace and a method of fitting a brace in for the treatment of scoliosis or kyphosis.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Braces for treating scoliosis are known that provide a pressing force against the ribs of the wearer. Problems with known braces are that they may be uncomfortable to the wearer and may also restrict movement of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a brace comprising: a belt assembly for location around a body of a user; a strut having a first end and an anchoring location, the first end of the strut being configured to be secured by the belt assembly with the anchoring location spaced from the belt assembly; a first strap for applying a force to the body of the user; a first anchor means configured to retain a first part of the first strap at the anchoring location on the strut; and a second anchor means configured to retain a second part of the first strap at a second anchor location to enable tension to be provided in the first strap.

This provides the advantage that the first strap may be held at a height suitable for applying a force to the torso of a person suffering from scoliosis or kyphosis, without unduly restricting movement of the person.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method of fitting a brace to a person comprising: positioning a strut along a spine of a person; positioning a belt assembly around a pelvis of the person to provide support for a first end of the strut so that a first anchoring location on the strut is spaced from the belt assembly; and positioning a first strap around the body of the person so that the first strap extends from the first anchor location on the strut to a second anchor location on the belt assembly.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a brace comprising: a main support element comprising a strut defining a first anchoring location and base portion defining a second anchoring location, the base portion having a first part extending to one side of the strut and a second part extending to the other side of the strut; supporting means for supporting the main support element on a user so that the strut extends up from base portion to the first anchoring location; and

a first strap; a first anchor means configured to hold a first part of the first strap on the strut; and a second anchor means configured to hold a second part of the first strap to enable tension to be provided in the first strap.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a brace comprising: a belt assembly for location around a body of a user; a strut having a first end and an anchoring location, the first end of the strut being configured to be secured by the belt assembly with the anchoring location spaced from the belt assembly; a first strap for applying a force to the body of the user; a first anchor mechanism configured to retain a first part of the first strap at the anchoring location on the strut; and a second anchor mechanism configured to retain a second part of the first strap at a second anchor location to enable tension to be provided in the first strap.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a brace comprising: a main support element comprising a strut defining a first anchoring location and base portion defining a second anchoring location, the base portion having a first part extending to one side of the strut and a second part extending to the other side of the strut; a belt assembly configured to supporting the main support element on a user so that the strut extends up from base portion to the first anchoring location; and a first strap; a first anchor mechanism configured to hold a first part of the first strap on the strut; and a second anchor mechanism configured to hold a second part of the first strap to enable tension to be provided in the first strap.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a brace comprising: a main support element configured to extend around a pelvic region of a person and to provide anchor locations for straps used to apply forces to the person, the main support element defining a plurality of slots extending around the main support element; a belt portion configured to extend around the main support element for maintaining the main support element in position on the pelvic region of a person, and a plurality of sliding anchor members arranged to slide along the slots, the sliding anchor members being configured to be attached to the belt portion.

In an embodiment each sliding anchor member has two heads connected by a connection means, wherein a first one of the two heads is located on a rear side of the main support element, a second one of the two heads is located on a front side of the main support element and the connection means extends through one of the slots. The first one of the two heads may be provided with hook or loop material to enable attachment to the belt portion.

