Cervical Collar Height Adjustment for Decubitus Ulcer Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cervical collars often cause decubitus ulcers due to uneven pressure distribution, and existing adjustable collars like the Miami J collar, while effective, require customization and pre-sizing methods that can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A height adjustment system for cervical collars that allows incremental adjustment of the anterior component without altering the anatomical contours of the mandibular and occipital supports, enabling a customizable fit for various users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cervical collars are made restrictive to achieve complete or near complete immobilization of the head and neck, then cervical range of motion is reduced and immobilization is improved, but pressure points are created that cause decubitus ulcers and tissue breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar is divided into multiple segments including a front part with upper and lower parts that can move relative to each other, and a rear part with occipital support. This segmentation allows the collar to adapt to the patient's anatomy while distributing pressure more evenly, reducing decubitus risk while maintaining immobilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including a cable arrangement that allows the front part to be adjusted relative to the rear part, and a mandibular support that can be positioned at different heights. This dynamic capability enables customization to fit different patient anatomies, distributing pressure more uniformly and preventing decubitus ulcers while maintaining reliable immobilization.
2Ease of operation
If cervical collars are customized to fit different patient anatomies, then comfort and pressure distribution are improved, but device complexity and pre-sizing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar is designed as a universal device that can accommodate different patient anatomies through built-in adjustment mechanisms. The front part can be adjusted relative to the rear part via a cable system, and the mandibular support height is adjustable, allowing a single collar design to serve multiple patient sizes and shapes without requiring multiple pre-sized variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar incorporates preliminary adjustment features such as pre-positioned adjustment mechanisms and intuitive cable systems that guide the user through the customization process. These preliminary actions are built into the device structure to simplify the fitting process, reducing the complexity burden despite the customization capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the front part of the cervical collar is made adjustable to change chin height, then adaptability to different patients is improved, but the anatomical contours and connection to other components may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is segmented into a front part containing the adjustable mandibular support and a rear part containing the occipital support, connected by a cable mechanism. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the mandibular support height without affecting the anatomical contours of the occipital support, maintaining both adaptability and proper anatomical form.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandibular support is designed with dynamic adjustment capability through a cable arrangement that allows height modification while maintaining the anatomical contour when in the proper position. The dynamic adjustment mechanism is integrated in a way that preserves the anatomical shape of both the mandibular and occipital supports during normal use.
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical collar has a height adjustment system between upper and lower parts forming an anterior component for increasing height of the anterior component inclusive of a tracheal opening. The anterior component is arranged to permit the use of known mandibular and occipital supports in the cervical collar to maintain their functionality, comfort and fit, including their anatomical contours and connection to the height adjusted anterior component.