Cervical Collar with Movable Jaw Clasp for Airway Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cervical collars fail to simultaneously protect the neck by restricting head movement and maintain open airways, as they interfere with non-invasive jaw-thrust maneuvers necessary for airway maintenance in trauma patients.
Innovation Solution
A cervical collar with a rigid motion-restricting frame and a jaw clasp that allows controlled jaw movement, featuring a restrictor member to limit jaw clasp motion relative to the frame, enabling the jaw-thrust maneuver to maintain open airways while immobilizing the head and neck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid cervical collar is used to protect the neck by restricting head movement, then spinal protection is improved, but the ability to perform jaw-thrust maneuvers for airway maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar is divided into a rigid frame portion for spinal protection and a separate movable jaw clasp assembly for airway maintenance. The jaw clasp can move independently relative to the frame, allowing jaw-thrust maneuvers without compromising head immobilization. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the protective function from the operational function.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw clasp is designed with dynamic movement capability through a restrictor member that guides its motion path. The clasp can move forward to perform jaw-thrust while the rigid frame maintains head stability. This dynamic design allows the collar to adapt between protection mode and airway maintenance mode, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If the jaw is immobilized to maintain head position, then spinal protection is improved, but airway openness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates head immobilization (performed by the rigid frame) from jaw positioning (performed by the movable clasp). This allows the jaw to be independently manipulated for airway opening while the head remains secured, resolving the contradiction between immobilization and airway patency.
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor member acts as an intermediary that guides jaw clasp movement along a controlled path. It enables the jaw to move forward for airway maintenance while preventing movements that would compromise head immobilization, thus mediating between the two conflicting requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a hole or opening is created in the cervical collar for invasive airway techniques, then airway access is improved, but structural integrity and spinal protection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The airway maintenance function is separated from the protective frame by introducing a movable jaw clasp assembly. This eliminates the need for holes or openings in the rigid frame, as the clasp provides the airway access pathway while the frame maintains its structural integrity for spinal protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw clasp serves as an intermediary structure that provides airway access without requiring modifications to the protective frame. It creates a passage for airway management techniques while the intact frame continues to provide reliable spinal protection.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a novel cervical collar for maintaining the airways in head and neck immobilized trauma patient open. This collar comprises a rigid motion-restricting frame (220, 230, 240, 270, 280) attached to the head (100); and, a jaw clasp (210, 290) attached to the jaw (110). The collar is simultaneously restricting the motion of the head (100) and neck while allowing motion of the jaw (110) to maintain open airways. A jaw clasp (290) useful for performing the jaw-thrust maneuver motion of the jaw (110) to maintain open airways is also presented. Said device comprising a plurality of movable fitting elements adapted to fit the jaw (110) tightly; and, a plurality of movable mover elements adapted to move the jaw (110).