Adjustable Cervical Collar with Spring Lock Mandible Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cervical collars are individually sized and lack sufficient adjustment, leading to poor fit, discomfort, and increased costs due to the need for multiple sizes and frequent replacement, especially as neck swelling changes, and they often fail to provide adequate support under the mandible.

Innovation Solution

A cervical collar with adjustable height and circumference, featuring a removable and rigid mandible support piece, spring locks for secure attachment, flexible edges, and anatomically shaped portions to accommodate varying sizes and swelling, along with a strap system that distributes pressure evenly across the chin and mandible.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple individually sized collars are maintained in inventory to accommodate different wearer sizes, then proper fit and immobilization are improved, but inventory cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper fit and immobilizationVSAvoidinventory management and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cervical collar is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple wearer sizes through adjustable features. The collar includes an adjustable circumferential dimension with multiple openings and a movable tongue that allows sizing adjustment, and an adjustable height support piece that can be repositioned vertically. This single collar design replaces the need for multiple individually sized collars while maintaining proper fit and immobilization across different patient sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the circumferential and height dimensions to be modified after manufacturing. The circumferential adjustment mechanism includes a movable tongue that can engage different openings, and the height support piece can be repositioned to different vertical positions. These dynamic features enable the same collar to adapt to changing patient needs and swelling conditions without requiring inventory of multiple static sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If a fixed-size collar is used for acute cervical injuries, then quick application is achieved, but the collar may become improper as neck swelling changes over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication speedVSAvoidaccommodation of swelling changes

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The collar is designed to maintain its useful function continuously through the ability to be adjusted as patient conditions change. Rather than requiring replacement when swelling changes occur, the adjustable features allow the collar to continue providing proper immobilization and support throughout the treatment period, ensuring continuous effective action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If the sternum footplate is made flexible to conform to anatomy, then comfort is improved, but the collar can be easily fitted too tight causing the footplate to sit on clavicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort and fitVSAvoidproper positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sternum footplate incorporates flexible material that allows it to conform to the patient's anatomy while maintaining structural integrity. The flexibility enables the footplate to adapt to individual anatomical variations without requiring excessive tightening, while the controlled flexibility prevents over-compression that would cause the footplate to migrate onto the clavicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If the chin support provides concentrated support under the mid-front of the chin, then immobilization is achieved, but undue pressure causes discomfort and sores

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveimmobilizationVSAvoidpressure sores and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chin support is designed with distributed support features that spread the immobilization force across multiple contact points including the mid-front of the chin, the mandible, and adjacent areas. This local quality variation in the support distribution prevents concentrated pressure points that would cause sores and discomfort while maintaining effective immobilization through the combined support across these distributed contact areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11622878B2Cervical collar

Publication Date: 2023.04.11 OSSUR HF

AI summary

A cervical collar has a chin support slidably connected to an inside surface of an anterior component adapted to secure against an anterior chin and neck of a user. A posterior component connects to the anterior component to circumferentially surround the user's neck. A height adjustment mechanism has spring locks securing the height adjustment mechanism against the anterior component. The cervical collar includes a footplate continuously extending from the height adjustment mechanism generally without a variation in thickness. The posterior component has side portions with a plurality of living hinges located proximate to elongate slots for straps connecting to the anterior component.