Cervical Collar Height Adjustment via Interlocking Ridges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cervical collars often struggle to balance comfort and effectiveness, with adjustable models being expensive and having complex, unreliable mechanisms, leading to patient confusion and unwanted movement.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable cervical collar design featuring a main collar body, chin support member, and locking mechanism that allows for customizable fit and secure positioning through pivotable connections and ridged surfaces, enabling easy operation and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cervical collars are made adjustable to provide custom fit, then comfort and effectiveness are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is divided into modular components including adjustable height sides, a chin support member, and a locking mechanism. The height adjustment is achieved by selectively positioning the chin support member relative to the sides at different height levels, allowing custom fit without complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive components such as a tab on the chin support member that engages with a slot in the side, and a basic locking mechanism. This avoids expensive complex mechanisms while providing reliable adjustment and locking functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex adjustment mechanisms are used to achieve custom fit, then adaptability is improved, but reliability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be operated easily by the patient themselves. The tab on the chin support member engages with the slot in the side, and the locking mechanism secures this position without requiring medical personnel or complex procedures. This simple self-service design improves both reliability and ease of operation.
3Strength
If rigid support structures are used to provide proper spinal support, then medical effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and mobility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The collar incorporates dynamic adjustability allowing the support structure to be customized for each patient. The chin support member can be positioned at different heights and the sides can be adjusted to fit different neck circumferences. This dynamic customization provides rigid support when needed while accommodating patient comfort and mobility requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical collar provides height adjustment using a locking member disposed on a height adjustment member extending through a height adjustment aperture. As the locking member is moved between locked and unlocked positions, ridges on a main collar body and on a chin support member may be interlocked or allowed to slide over each other from one desired position to another, thereby providing a height adjustment mechanism for the cervical collar.