Neck Therapy Device Cervical Support Gravity Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gravity imposes compressive forces on the cervical spine, limiting head movement and contributing to neck dysfunction, and existing treatments do not effectively address these motion-limiting effects.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a platform with a bearing and track system that allows for linear motion, combined with a cervical support that activates and stabilizes the neck muscles, reducing compressive forces and enhancing head mobility, is used to treat neck dysfunction in supine, prone, or side-lying positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the patient is treated in an upright position, then the treatment can be performed with the patient's natural posture, but gravity imposes compressive forces on the cervical spine that limit head movement and contribute to neck dysfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates a gravitational equipotential environment by positioning the patient's head and neck in alignment with the direction of gravity (supine, prone, or side-lying positions). This orientation ensures that gravitational forces act parallel to the spine rather than creating compressive loads perpendicular to the cervical segments, thereby eliminating the harmful compressive effects while maintaining treatment effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the patient is positioned perpendicular to gravitational forces (supine, prone, sidelying), then compressive forces at the cervical spine are eliminated and head movement is maximized, but the device complexity increases due to the need for specialized positioning and support mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a positioning system with adjustable support surfaces for supine/prone/side-lying orientations, a cervical support component with yoke and frame, a bearing system with wheels and tracks for controlled motion, and adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving the complex goal of gravity-aligned positioning with controlled head movement
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable support surfaces that can be positioned at various angles, a bearing system with wheels that enable controlled linear and rotational motion of the head, and adjustable cervical support components. These dynamic features allow the device to adapt to different treatment requirements while maintaining the beneficial gravity-aligned positioning, reducing complexity by providing flexibility rather than requiring multiple fixed-position devices
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 effectively reduces compressive forces on the cervical spine, allowing for improved head movement and muscle activation, thereby treating neck pain, stiffness, and hypermobility by minimizing the impact of gravity and targeting specific muscle groups for rehabilitation.
Implementation Method 1
The bearing reduces friction between the platform and track, enabling smooth linear motion of the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A neck therapy device supports the head of a patient in a supine, side-lying or prone position to eliminate the effects of gravity on the cervical vertebrae and associated musculature. A sliding platform supporting the head permits frictionless turning throughout full cervical motion and a cervical support can target a particular cervical vertebra to isolate motion to superior vertebrae. The cervical support is also used to apply traction and pressure to cervical muscles and vertebrae to effect soft-tissue mobilization and activate and strengthen cervical muscles.