Adjustable Cervical Collar Locking for Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cervical collars face challenges in balancing immobilization with user comfort, leading to decubitus ulcers due to pressure points, 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 minimize pressure points and enhance user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cervical collars provide rigid immobilization to restrict cervical range of motion, then immobilization effectiveness is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to pressure points causing decubitus ulcers
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar incorporates a pressure redistribution system with varying local densities and compliance zones. The shell includes high-density rigid zones for immobilization and low-density compliant zones for pressure relief, creating different local qualities within the same structure to simultaneously achieve immobilization and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The cervical collar uses composite construction combining rigid materials (for immobilization structure) with compliant materials (for pressure distribution). The shell integrates foam layers of different densities, fabric coverings, and adjustable padding to create a composite structure that provides both structural support and pressure management.
2Device complexity
If cervical collars use fixed height design to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to accommodate different patient anatomies
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar incorporates adjustable height mechanisms allowing the shell to be modified after manufacturing. The structure includes telescoping components, adjustable straps, and reconfigurable elements that enable dynamic adaptation to different patient anatomies while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cervical collar is divided into modular segments including adjustable shell sections, separate padding components, and independent strap systems. This segmentation allows individual components to be adjusted or reconfigured to fit different patient sizes and anatomical variations without redesigning the entire device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cervical collars use adjustable height mechanisms to improve fit, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to accidental tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar uses locking mechanisms as intermediary components between the adjustable elements and the user. These locks require deliberate action to engage or disengage, serving as a mediator that prevents accidental adjustments while allowing intentional reconfiguration when needed by healthcare providers or patients.
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical collar having an anterior component including a main support, an intermediate support pivotally connecting to the main support at a rear portion of the anterior component, and forming a frontal opening with the main support. An adjustment mechanism connects the main support to the intermediate support and locks a position of the intermediate support relative to the main support at a front portion of anterior component. The adjustment mechanism has an actuator for disengaging the main support from the intermediate support at the front portion and permits the intermediate support to pivot relative to the main support at the rear portion to vary a height of the frontal opening. A posterior component of the cervical collar is adapted to provide improved anterior-posterior and lateral occipital support.