Cervical Orthotic Device with Segmented Support Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cervical orthotic devices lack a focused cervical engagement mechanism and adequate passive support to effectively counteract forward head posture and restore proper cervical alignment, particularly in treating subluxations caused by trauma, poor posture, and muscle tension.
Innovation Solution
A cervical orthotic device featuring a cervical support surface with an arcuate portion delimiting a cervical engagement ridge for active engagement and paired planar portions for passive support, along with adjustable design elements like slits for customizable fit, to provide focused active and passive support for the cervical spine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing cervical orthotic devices use simple contoured surfaces, then manufacturing is easy, but they lack focused cervical engagement and adequate passive support
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical support surface is segmented into distinct functional zones: an arcuate portion with a cervical engagement ridge for active engagement, first and second planar portions for passive support, and transition portions connecting them. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall device effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cervical support surface are given different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions: the arcuate portion provides focused engagement at the cervical ridge, while the planar portions provide broader passive support. This local differentiation of surface quality enables effective cervical correction without requiring complex overall device structure.
2Reliability
If cervical orthotic devices provide focused active engagement, then cervical alignment restoration is improved, but pressure on cervical soft tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface divides engagement and support functions into separate zones: the arcuate portion with cervical engagement ridge provides focused active engagement for alignment restoration, while the planar portions provide distributed passive support that reduces concentrated pressure on soft tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition portions act as intermediaries between the focused engagement zone and the broader support zones, smoothly distributing forces and reducing pressure concentration on cervical soft tissues while maintaining effective alignment restoration.
3Measurement precision
If cervical orthotic devices are designed for specific cervical spine lengths, then treatment precision is improved, but adaptability to various patients is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical orthotic device incorporates adjustable elements that allow the support surface geometry to be dynamically modified to match different cervical spine lengths. This enables precise adaptation to each patient's anatomy while maintaining the effective engagement and support zone relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
Key geometric parameters of the cervical support surface, such as the curvature radius of the arcuate portion and the dimensions of planar portions, can be adjusted to match different cervical spine lengths. This parameter variability maintains treatment precision across different patient populations without requiring multiple fixed-device designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical orthotic device is generally provided. The device includes a base, sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, and a cervical support surface opposite the base. The cervical support surface unites the sidewalls. The sidewalls include opposingly paired lateral sidewalls and opposingly paired longitudinal sidewalls. The cervical support surface includes a first planar portion adjacent a first longitudinal sidewall of the opposingly paired longitudinal sidewalls, a second planar portion adjacent a second longitudinal sidewall of the opposingly paired longitudinal sidewalls, and an arcuate portion intermediate the planar portions. The arcuate portion of the cervical support surface delimits a cervical engagement ridge.