Cervical Collar Fold Lines Reduce Vascular Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid cervical collars can increase intracranial pressure by obstructing blood drainage from the brain, posing a risk for patients with head and neck injuries due to pressure on neck veins, which can exacerbate brain injury.
Innovation Solution
A cervical collar design with fold lines along the anterior portion that reduces contact and pressure on the sternocleidomastoid muscle area, creating clearance for neck veins and minimizing vascular obstruction, allowing for reduced intracranial pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid cervical collar is applied to stabilize the cervical spinal column, then immobilization and support are achieved, but vascular obstruction of blood draining from the brain occurs and intracranial pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar is divided into distinct functional zones: a first portion that contacts the sternomastoid muscle area with reduced pressure, and a second portion that provides rigid support. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different purposes - stabilization versus vascular protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar employs locally differentiated properties where the first portion has reduced rigidity and pressure-contact characteristics to protect veins, while the second portion maintains high rigidity for spinal stabilization. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between overall stability and local vascular protection.
2Reliability
If pressure is applied to the sternomastoid muscle area to ensure collar stability, then immobilization is improved, but pressure on neck veins increases causing blood drainage obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The collar structure separates the stabilization function from the pressure application function. The first portion specifically avoids high pressure on the sternomastoid muscle area, while the second portion provides the necessary immobilization through alternative support mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar design introduces an intermediary structure that redistributes pressure away from the sternomastoid muscle area. The fold lines and curved configuration act as intermediaries that maintain collar stability while protecting the underlying veins from direct compression.
3Strength
If a rigid collar structure is used to prevent further damage to cervical spine, then protection is achieved, but blood drainage from the brain is obstructed leading to secondary brain injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The collar exhibits spatially varying mechanical properties with the first portion having compliant, low-pressure characteristics for vascular protection, while the second portion maintains high strength for spinal protection. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of both protection goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar incorporates dynamic elements such as fold lines that allow the structure to adapt to patient anatomy and movement. This dynamic configuration maintains protective function while minimizing vascular obstruction during normal physiological movements.
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical collar including an anterior portion having a rigid or semi-rigid shell anterior main support piece. The anterior portion defines resilient or flexible edges formed along the periphery of the main support piece. The flexible edges form a three-dimensional anatomically configured proximal support portion defined along a proximal area of the anterior portion. The anterior main support piece defines a supporting spring portion centrally located along the proximal area of the anterior portion. The proximal support portion is formed around and encompasses the supporting spring portion.