Inflatable Cervical Collar with Posterior-Lateral Pocket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cervical collars do not provide adequate support to the spine, allowing excessive head and neck movement due to their generic curvature and voided spaces, which can alter cervical spinal curvature during positioning or manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A cervical collar with an inflatable posterior-lateral pocket and a viscoelastic polyurethane foam chin support that is adjustable in height, providing customized support by inflating with gas or liquid to restrict spinal motion and enhance fit around the user's neck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a generic curvature cervical collar is used, then the device is simple to manufacture and apply, but it allows excessive head and neck movement and does not provide adequate spinal support
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar incorporates an inflatable posterior-lateral pocket that can be adjusted to different volumes, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to individual patient anatomy. This allows the collar to provide customized spinal support while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of a basic inflatable mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the volume parameter of the posterior-lateral pocket through inflation with gas or liquid, enabling the collar to conform to different neck sizes and shapes. This parameter adjustment provides form-fitting support without requiring multiple collar sizes or complex customization processes
2Reliability
If a generic curvature cervical collar is used, then the device has simple design and application, but it creates voided spaces that allow undesirable neck movement
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable pocket is specifically positioned in the posterior-lateral region where voided spaces typically occur, providing localized support exactly where needed. This targeted approach eliminates unnecessary movement without requiring the entire collar structure to be more complex
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable mechanism allows the collar to dynamically adapt to the patient's neck contours, filling voided spaces as the pocket inflates. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent neck movement restriction across different patients and positions
3Reliability
If the cervical collar is made adjustable in height with viscoelastic foam lining, then it provides customized form-fitting support, but it increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The collar incorporates height adjustability through movable components that allow the anterior and posterior pieces to be positioned at different vertical levels. This parameter adjustment enables customization for different cervical spinal curvatures while using standard manufacturing processes for the adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The viscoelastic polyurethane foam lining combines the structural support of the rigid collar framework with the comfort and conformability of soft foam material. This composite construction provides customized form-fitting support while using well-established manufacturing techniques for both components
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 cervical collar effectively restricts lateral, flexion, and extension motions of the neck, improving patient comfort and ensuring a more precise fit, thereby preventing unwanted movement and maintaining cervical spinal curvature.
Implementation Method 1
the pocket is inflated so that the body of the cervical collar is pressing against the user's neck
Implementation Method 2
a viscoelastic polyurethane foam lining the chin support
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical collar having a body with an anterior side, a posterior side, an upper portion and a lower portion is provided. The cervical collar may include a chin support that is formed at the upper portion of the anterior side of the body. The present invention may further include an inflatable pocket formed on the posterior and lateral sides of the body. The cervical collar may be wrapped around a neck of a user so that the chin support aligns and supports the chin of the user. The inflatable pocket may be inflated with a gas or a liquid to further support the neck of the user.