Orthotic device and methods for limiting expansion of a patient's chest

摘要

An orthotic device includes a pair of panel members and a mechanical advantage device that bridges the pair of panel members together to form a belt with two free end portions detachably connectable to each other. The mechanical advantage device has a drawstring element that causes the mechanical advantage device to move from an expanded state wherein the bridged end portions are disposed apart from one another to a contracted state wherein the respective bridged end portions are drawn towards each other. Methods are also described. One method includes the steps of donning the orthotic device about the patient's chest, connecting the free end portions of the orthotic device together with the mechanical advantage device in the expanded state, and pulling the drawstring element a selected distance to move the mechanical advantage device from the expanded state to the contracted state for a desired level of tightening.