Adjustable Cervical Traction Collar with Dynamic Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cervical spine traction devices lack mobility, comfort, and practicality, particularly for trauma applications, as they require patient compliance and are not adjustable for varying head angles, making them ineffective for dynamic treatment.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, mobile traction device integrated with a cervical collar that includes a traction box and occipital support, allowing for adjustable and self-contained traction with tension bands or other force-delivery components, enabling higher loads and comfortable alignment of the head and spine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional over-the-door traction devices are used, then traction force can be applied to the cervical spine, but the device lacks mobility and requires patient compliance to be effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the collar to be adjusted to different angles and positions. The collar includes an adjustable arm that can be positioned at various angles relative to the headrest, enabling the device to adapt to different patient needs and maintain effectiveness without requiring strict patient compliance regarding positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical or pneumatic devices are used for cervical spine traction, then varying degrees of traction can be achieved, but the devices are not mobile and require the patient to be stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The collar incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism with an adjustable arm that can be positioned at various angles. This allows the device to provide varying degrees of traction while maintaining patient mobility, as the adjustment can be made without requiring the patient to remain stationary or be in a specific position.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate components including a headrest, an adjustable arm, and a collar portion. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component, enabling the arm to be positioned at the optimal angle while the patient maintains mobility and comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wedges are used to position the patient's head during traction, then specific angles can be achieved, but the patient must be stationary and angle selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fixed wedges, the patent employs a dynamic adjustable arm mechanism that can be positioned at multiple angles. This provides greater angle selection flexibility while allowing the patient to remain mobile and comfortable, as the adjustment can be made without requiring the patient to be stationary.
4Force
If traditional traction devices are used, then traction force can be applied, but the devices are heavy and not mobile
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is constructed using lightweight materials including a foam cushion covered with a flexible material. This design maintains the necessary structural integrity to apply traction force while significantly reducing the overall weight of the device, enabling patient mobility without sacrificing traction effectiveness.
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 effective, adjustable, and comfortable cervical spine traction that supports normal curvature, encourages patient compliance, and can be used during mobility, offering higher weight-bearing capacity and gentle traction release.
Implementation Method 1
The traction device includes a traction box, which is attached to the collar and to an occipital support. Various collar types can be used with the traction device. A collar that is split into a front and back portion is particularly suitable to be used with the device.
Data Source
AI summary
A traction device having an adjustable tensioning mechanism, the traction device attachable to a head support and a cervical collar. The tensioning mechanism includes a traction base, a slider slidably connected to the traction base and an adjustment mechanism to force the traction base and slider in opposite directions. One of the traction base or slider is at a fixed longitudinal position with respect to the head support and the other of the traction base or slider is at a fixed longitudinal position with respect to the cervical collar.