Adjustable Cervical Collar with Segmented Design for Swelling Accommodation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cervical collars lack adjustable features to accommodate varying patient sizes and anatomical changes due to swelling, leading to inadequate fit and potential pressure sores, especially when used in emergency settings where quick adjustment and maintenance are necessary without removing life-support attachments.

Innovation Solution

A cervical collar design featuring removable adjustable height support, flexible edges, and anatomically shaped portions with ventilation mechanisms, allowing for height and circumferential adjustments to conform to different patient anatomies while maintaining contact with the skin and accommodating swelling changes, all while allowing for maintenance without removing life-support attachments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cervical collar is designed with fixed size and shape, then manufacturing and usage are simplified, but it cannot accommodate varying patient sizes and anatomical changes due to swelling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying patient sizes and anatomical changesVSAvoidcollar structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cervical collar is divided into two separate halves (anterior and posterior portions) that can be independently adjusted and positioned. Each half contains adjustment mechanisms that allow independent modification of the collar's dimensions to accommodate varying patient anatomies and swelling changes without requiring complete replacement of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collar incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including movable sides with adjustable lengths, variable height support pieces, and reconfigurable connection points that allow the static collar structure to adapt dynamically to changing patient conditions such as swelling or different body sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If the cervical collar is made rigid for structural support, then immobilization effectiveness is improved, but pressure peaks and discomfort occur especially when improperly applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural support and immobilization effectivenessVSAvoidpressure peaks and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the cervical collar are constructed with different material properties and structural characteristics. The main body maintains rigidity for immobilization, while specific contact areas incorporate compliant materials, cushioning elements, and pressure-distributing geometries to eliminate pressure peaks and discomfort at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The collar combines rigid structural materials with compliant or cushioning materials in a composite construction. This allows the overall structure to maintain sufficient strength for immobilization while localized compliant regions accommodate anatomical variations and prevent pressure-related harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cervical collar is designed as a single integrated piece, then structural integrity is maintained, but adjustment for different sizes and cleaning/maintenance become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidadjustability and maintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collar is segmented into separable halves and modular components including adjustable support pieces and removable covers. This segmentation maintains structural integrity when assembled while enabling independent adjustment, disassembly for cleaning, and maintenance of specific components without affecting the entire device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components are designed with standardized connection interfaces and adjustment mechanisms that serve multiple functions: enabling size adjustment, facilitating disassembly for cleaning, and allowing maintenance of individual components. The same structural features that provide adjustability also enable easy maintenance and cleaning access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the cervical collar provides constant contact with the skin for immobilization, then patient movement is restricted, but pressure sores may develop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization effectivenessVSAvoidpressure sores

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The collar employs local quality variations where compliant and pressure-relieving materials are strategically placed at contact points prone to pressure sore development, while maintaining rigid contact in regions critical for immobilization. This localized differentiation allows constant contact for reliability while preventing pressure-related harm through material and geometric optimization at critical interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2630937B1Cervical collar having height and circumferential adjustment

Publication Date: 2015.10.14 OSSUR HF

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AI summary

A cervical collar, comprising: an anterior portion (100) having a rigid or semi-rigid shell anterior main support piece (102); a posterior portion (146) connected to the anterior portion (100); the main support piece (102) including resilient or flexible edges (118) formed along the periphery of the main support piece (102) and the flexible edges (118) being integrally formed with the second component of the anterior portion (100), a three dimensional (3D) anatomically configured proximal support portion (120) of the anterior portion (100).