Two identical adjustable graduated pillows for surgery and post-surgery head immobilization and head positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head and neck restraint pillows fail to provide adequate immobilization during and after surgery, potentially disrupting healing processes and causing discomfort, as they often interfere with surgical access, stitches, and nerve sensitivity, and may not allow for optimal sterile conditions or comfortable positioning.

Innovation Solution

A pillow design with adjustable triangular pillows and cord or strap mechanisms that provide minimal surface contact, allowing for precise head and neck positioning, easy access, and adjustable angles for surgical procedures, while preventing movement and promoting comfort and anti-wrinkle sleep, without using VELCRO® Brand straps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If straps are used to secure the head on the pillow, then head immobilization is improved, but surgical access is blocked and sterile coverage is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead immobilizationVSAvoidsurgical access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow is divided into two separate triangular pillows that can be positioned independently on either side of the head, allowing surgical access to the top and front of the head while maintaining head immobilization through the side-positioned pillows

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The securing mechanism (straps or cords) is extracted from the pillow body itself and made separate and removable, allowing the pillows to remain on the patient's head during surgery without interfering with surgical access or sterile coverage, while still providing immobilization when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If VELCRO® Brand straps are used for head restraint, then head positioning is secured, but skin irritation and hair tangling occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead positioningVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple cotton cords or straps instead of VELCRO® Brand fasteners, accepting that the securing mechanism may need to be replaced or adjusted rather than designed for repeated use, thereby avoiding skin irritation and hair tangling while still achieving head positioning security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing elements are made from the same soft, non-irritating cotton material as the pillow covers, ensuring that the entire device contacting the patient's head and hair is uniformly gentle and non-abrasive

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Manufacturing precision

If fixed head positioning is provided, then surgical access is optimized, but adaptability to different surgical procedures is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead positioningVSAvoidsurgical access

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The triangular pillows are designed to be movable and adjustable in position along the patient's head, allowing the healthcare provider to optimize head positioning for different surgical procedures while maintaining stable positioning once placed, thereby achieving both precision and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11826287B2Two identical adjustable graduated pillows for surgery and post-surgery head immobilization and head positioning

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 WILKIE MICHELLE MARIE

AI summary

Two pillows 12-12 and 112-112 are joined and separated by cords 18 or a strap 118 to enable surgical and post-surgical immobilization and positioning of a user's head or neck. This protects movement of the patient during surgery or thereafter as an aid to the performing surgeon(s) and any post-surgical problems, such as damage or disturbance to stitching.