Spinal brace having laminate shells

1. A spinal orthosis for treating a spine, comprising: an anterior support and a posterior support having an elongate aperture provided on the posterior support at a location corresponding to the location of the spinal column of a patient wearing the orthosis, the anterior and posterior supports each comprising a laminate made of a flexible foam material and a substantially rigid plastic sheet material sandwiched between a pair of soft flexible sheet materials and bonded together to yield a unitary and substantially rigid laminate material.

2. The orthosis of claim 1 , wherein the posterior support further comprises a rigidifying member located adjacent the aperture to provide additional rigidity along sides of the aperture.

3. The orthosis of claim 2 , wherein the rigidifying member is external to the posterior support.

4. The orthosis of claim 3 , wherein the rigidifying member comprises an elongate substantially rigid member secured to the posterior support.

5. The orthosis of claim 2 , wherein the rigidifying member is incorporated into the laminate material of the posterior support.

6. A spinal orthosis for treating a spine, comprising: an anterior support and a posterior support, each comprising a laminate made of a flexible foam material and a substantially rigid plastic sheet material sandwiched between a pair of soft flexible sheet materials and bonded together to yield a unitary and substantially rigid laminate material; and a sternal pad system attached to the anterior support, the sternal pad system including a substantially U-shaped pad member configured for cradling the sternum of a patient; a pair of side mounting members, each secured to the pad member and to the anterior support; and a central adjustable mounting system located between the side mounting members, the central adjustable mounting system including a rigid extension that is adjustably positionable to span between the anterior support and the pad member to permit adjustment of the height of the pad member relative to the anterior support.

7. The orthosis of claim 1 , further comprising one or more straps attachable to the posterior support and the anterior support for securing the spinal orthosis on a patient.

8. A spinal orthosis for treating a spine, comprising: an anterior support, a posterior support, each support comprising a laminate made of a flexible foam material and a substantially rigid plastic sheet material sandwiched between a pair of soft flexible sheet materials and bonded together to yield a unitary and substantially rigid laminate material; and a thoracic support extending above and adjustably positionable relative to the posterior support for adjusting the kyphotic curve imparted to a thoracic region of the spinal column of a patient.

9. A spinal orthosis for treating a spine, comprising: an anterior support, a posterior support, each support comprising a laminate made of a flexible foam material and a substantially rigid plastic sheet material sandwiched between a pair of soft flexible sheet materials and bonded together to yield a unitary and substantially rigid laminate material; and a sternal pad system attached to the anterior support for desired positioning of an upper thoracic region of a patient, the sternal pad system including a substantially U-shaped pad member configured for cradling the sternum of a user, a pair of side mounting members, each having a first end configured for mounting to the pad member and a second end configured for mounting to the anterior support, the first ends being angled so that they can be reversed to change the mounted position of the pad member relative to the support, and a central adjustable mounting system including a support mount, a pad member mount, and a rigid extension that spans between the support member mount and the pad member mount.