Cervical Orthotic Support Surface for Gentle Neck Traction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neck support devices for promoting spinal structural positional change often cause discomfort due to excessive tractional force and limited surface area contact, failing to effectively stretch the lower neck regions and leading to cervical over-extension.

Innovation Solution

An orthotic device featuring a body with cushioning materials, including a bulbous protrusion as the primary support surface and additional surfaces to restrict over-extension, designed to gently suspend the head and neck, using compressible synthetic foam that resiliently supports the neck, allowing for gradual curvature and reduced pressure points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid plastic wall portions are used to achieve structural positional change, then the spine's structural position is improved, but excessive tractional force is applied causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural positional changeVSAvoidexcessive tractional force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid plastic to cushioning material, and modifies the geometric parameter of the wall portions to be substantially vertical rather than at a seventy-degree angle. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural support capability while reducing excessive tractional force on the neck ligaments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cushioning material to replace rigid plastic, creating a flexible yet supportive structure. This flexible material provides the necessary structural support for positional change while accommodating the neck's soft tissue structures, thereby reducing discomfort from excessive force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If wall portions meet at a sharp apex to concentrate force, then structural positional change is achieved, but global over-extension occurs due to small surface area contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural positional changeVSAvoidcervical over-extension

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the sharp apex with a rounded apex having a radius of curvature of at least 5mm. This curvature distributes the contact surface area, preventing global over-extension of the neck while still achieving the necessary structural positional change through the substantially vertical wall portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If wall portions are positioned at seventy degrees to achieve structural change, then the apex contacts upper neck portions, but lower neck regions cannot be effectively stretched

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural positional changeVSAvoidneck region coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the wall portions from a seventy-degree angle to substantially vertical orientation. This allows the apex to be positioned lower on the neck, enabling effective stretching of lower neck regions while maintaining structural positional change capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If rigid material is used to maintain structural position, then positional stability is achieved, but comfort is reduced due to pressure points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidpressure points

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cushioning material instead of rigid plastic, creating a flexible structure that conforms to the neck's contours. This eliminates pressure points while maintaining positional stability through the substantially vertical wall geometry and rounded apex design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies cushioning material specifically at the apex and along the wall portions that contact the neck. This localized cushioning provides pressure distribution exactly where needed, while the overall structural geometry maintains positional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device provides a comfortable and effective means to stretch various neck regions, reducing discomfort and promoting optimal spinal movement by distributing force evenly and preventing cervical over-extension, thus improving the functional relationship between soft tissue structures and spinal joints.

Implementation Method 1

the cushioning material compresses from between 5% to 35% when supporting the selected region of the patient's neck

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the cushioning material consists of a synthetic foam such as for example a closed cell cross-linked polyethylene foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8713732B2Orthotic device

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 DENNEROLL HLDG PTY LTD

AI summary

An orthotic device 10 comprising a body 20 having a base 30, a first support surface 40. In use, the first support surface 40 supports a selected region of a patient's neck 70 while suspending the patient's head 80.