Forward Head Posture Correction Collar with Lordosis Fulcrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic devices fail to effectively correct forward head posture (FHP), which leads to chronic misalignment of the upper cervical spine, resulting in mechanical weight loads, abnormal leverage on the neck, and associated symptoms like neck and back pain, vertigo, and loss of lung capacity, as they primarily focus on immobilization rather than simultaneous improvement of cervical lordosis.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable forward head posture correction collar featuring a shoulder collar assembly, a chin-mastoid piece, and a cheek or jaw piece that allows incremental adjustments along the Z-axis and vertical displacement to reposition the head, combined with a lordosis correction assembly for applying corrective forces to the cervical vertebrae, enabling long-term correction of cervical lordosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If cervical collars are designed to immobilize the neck and cause axial translation to decompress the cervical spine, then spinal decompression is achieved, but cervical lordosis deteriorates (straightening occurs)
Solution Approach 1:
The collar incorporates a ratcheting mechanism that allows incremental adjustment of the chin-mastoid piece along an inclined plane, enabling dynamic adaptation of the corrective force. This dynamic adjustment system allows the collar to progressively restore cervical lordosis while maintaining spinal decompression, resolving the contradiction between immobilization and curvature preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is divided into distinct functional components: a shoulder collar assembly for immobilization, a chin-mastoid piece for applying corrective force, and a ratcheting adjustment mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling simultaneous spinal decompression and lordosis correction without compromise.
2Ease of operation
If the head is allowed to move freely in contact sports, then athletic performance is maintained, but forward head posture and spinal stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collar applies a preliminary corrective force in the opposite direction of the harmful forward head posture before harmful effects occur. By continuously exerting a rearward force through the chin-mastoid piece, the collar prevents the development of FHP and reduces spinal stress during athletic activities, while still allowing controlled head movement for performance.
3Quantity of substance
If heavy backpacks are used to carry school loads, then transportation capacity is increased, but forward head posture develops to balance the load
Solution Approach 1:
The collar acts as a counterweight system by applying a rearward force through the chin-mastoid piece that balances the forward pull created by heavy backpacks. This counteracting force prevents the head from displacing forward to compensate for backpack weight, allowing students to carry necessary loads without developing FHP.
Data Source
AI summary
A forward head position correction collar is provided having first assembly mounted around the shoulder and neck portions of a wearer. A second assembly is movably connected to the first assembly. The second assembly includes a pair of opposed first and second adjustment assemblies that are used to position first and second cheek engagement pieces on the face of the wearer. The first and second cheek engagement pieces are joined to one side of a chin-mastoid piece that can be adjusted relative to the wearer. Preferably, a lordosis correction fulcrum assembly is formed within the first assembly to selectively and incrementally engage the rear of the wearer to apply corrective forces against the cervical area of the neck.