Cervical Collar with Independent Height and Circumference Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cervical collars either require multiple sizes to accommodate unique physical attributes, leading to storage and inventory challenges, or rely on complex adjustable mechanisms that can be lost or misused, causing injury due to improper fitting and support issues.

Innovation Solution

A cervical collar with independently adjustable front and back portions, including thoracic and occipital extenders, that use sliding connections and secure fastening devices to accommodate various neck heights and circumferences without separate components, ensuring proper fit and support while limiting cervical spine motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sized cervical collars are manufactured to accommodate unique physical attributes, then the ability to properly fit wearers is improved, but storage space and inventory costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting capabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cervical collar is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple neck sizes and shapes through adjustable mechanisms. The collar includes adjustable height components and circumferential adjustment features, allowing a single collar to serve multiple sizing functions that previously required multiple separate collars

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cervical collar incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the collar to be customized to different wearers. The adjustable height and circumferential features enable the collar to adapt to various neck dimensions, transforming a static single-size device into a dynamic multi-size solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If adjustable mechanisms are added to create universal cervical collars, then inventory requirements are reduced, but the risk of components becoming lost or separated increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of collarsVSAvoidcomponent retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanisms are integrated into the collar structure rather than being separate components. The height adjustment and circumferential adjustment features are built into the collar body, eliminating the risk of separate adjustable components becoming lost or separated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar is divided into functional segments (front portion, back portion, adjustable elements) that are connected through integrated mechanisms. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of different collar parameters while maintaining structural integrity and preventing component separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex adjustable mechanisms are used to accommodate various sizes, then versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to assembly difficulty and time constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize accommodationVSAvoidapplication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cervical collar is pre-assembled with all adjustment mechanisms already integrated and positioned. The collar arrives ready-to-use with adjustment features built-in, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures during emergency application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanisms are designed to be self-contained and self-explanatory, allowing healthcare providers to quickly adjust the collar to the proper size without requiring specialized tools or extensive training. The integrated design makes the adjustment process intuitive and rapid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8932243B2Cervical collar with independent height and circumference adjustability

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 SC IP LLC

AI summary

An adjustable cervical collar designed to accommodate a broad range of prospective wearers with unique physical attributes, and to restrict the movements of the wearer's cervical spine, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The cervical collar includes a front portion and back portion, which may be adjusted in relation to one other to vary the circumference of the cervical collar. The front portion includes upper and lower plastic portions which may be adjusted to vary the height of the cervical collar, and a front thoracic extender which may be adjusted to achieve a desired restrictiveness of flexion movement. The back portion includes occipital and back thoracic extenders which may be adjusted to achieve a desired restrictiveness of extension movement. The adjustable features may be operated independently of one another. The adjustable features include locking means to ensure that the cervical collar is securely applied to the wearer.