Adjustable Cervical Collar Locking for Pressure Ulcer Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cervical collars face challenges in balancing immobilization with user comfort, leading to decubitus ulcers due to uneven pressure distribution, and lack convenient height adjustment mechanisms that are susceptible to accidental tampering.
Innovation Solution
A cervical collar with a height adjustment system that allows for customizable pressure distribution and secure locking, combined with an improved strap system and contoured posterior component to enhance fit and prevent accidental adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If cervical collars provide rigid immobilization, then cervical spine stability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to uneven pressure distribution causing decubitus ulcers
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar incorporates a pressure-redistributing cushion with varying density zones - higher density at edges for structural support and lower density in contact areas for pressure distribution. This local quality variation allows the collar to maintain rigid immobilization where needed while providing comfort and preventing pressure ulcers at tissue contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar combines rigid materials (for immobilization structure) with compliant foam materials (for pressure distribution). The composite construction integrates a rigid shell providing cervical spine stability with a foam cushion layer that distributes pressure evenly across the neck, preventing decubitus ulcers while maintaining immobilization effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If cervical collars are designed with fixed height, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different patient anatomies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar incorporates an adjustable height mechanism with movable components that allow the collar to be resized to match different patient anatomies. The dynamic adjustment system includes telescopic posts or movable pads that can be positioned at multiple height levels, enabling a single collar design to accommodate various neck sizes while maintaining consistent manufacturing processes.
3Ease of operation
If height adjustment mechanism is made accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to accidental tampering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment mechanism is extracted from the main collar body and placed in a separate, dedicated compartment or housing. This separation allows the adjustment function to remain accessible for intentional operation while being physically protected from accidental activation. The extracted mechanism can be accessed through a controlled interface that requires deliberate action to activate.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism incorporates a locking feature or protective cover that must be deliberately opened or disengaged before adjustment is possible. This preliminary anti-action prevents accidental tampering by requiring a specific intentional action to access the adjustment function, while still allowing easy operation when deliberately needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cervical collar (200) having an anterior component (236) including a main support (206), an intermediate support (240) pivotally connecting to the main support (206) at a rear portion of the anterior component, and forming a frontal opening (218) with the main support (206). An adjustment mechanism (220) connects the main support (206) to the intermediate support (240) and locks a position of the intermediate support (240) relative to the main support (206) at a front portion of anterior component (236). The adjustment mechanism (220) has an actuator (252) for disengaging the main support (206) from the intermediate support (240) at the front portion and permits the intermediate support (240) to pivot relative to the main support (206) at the rear portion to vary a height of the frontal opening (218). A posterior component of the cervical collar is adapted to provide improved anterior-posterior and lateral occipital support.