Pivoting Cervical Collar Height Lock for Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cervical collars face challenges in balancing immobilization with user comfort, leading to decubitus ulcers due to pressure points, inadequate height adjustment mechanisms, and inconvenient strap systems, which can result in accidental tampering and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A cervical collar with a height adjustment system that allows for customizable pressure distribution, a secure strap system, and improved posterior components to minimize pressure points and enhance user comfort, featuring a locking mechanism to prevent accidental adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If cervical collars provide rigid immobilization, then cervical spine stability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to pressure points causing decubitus ulcers
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar incorporates different materials and structures in different regions: rigid components in areas requiring immobilization (anterior and lateral aspects) and softer, more compliant materials in areas contacting skin (posterior aspect and pressure-bearing surfaces). This allows the collar to provide firm stabilization where needed while minimizing pressure points and discomfort on the skin.
2Ease of manufacture
If cervical collars are designed with fixed height, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different anatomical configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cervical collar incorporates adjustable height mechanisms that allow the collar to be customized to different patient anatomies. The adjustable components enable the collar to adapt to varying neck sizes and shapes while maintaining proper positioning and immobilization effectiveness for each individual patient.
3Device complexity
If cervical collars use simple strap systems, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability against accidental tampering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The strap system incorporates pre-positioned adjustment mechanisms and locking features that are designed to be intuitively adjusted once and then securely locked in place. The preliminary positioning and locking design prevents accidental changes during normal use while remaining simple enough for easy initial adjustment by healthcare providers.
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical collar having an anterior component including a main support, an intermediate support pivotally connecting to the main support at a rear portion of the anterior component, and forming a frontal opening with the main support. An adjustment mechanism connects the main support to the intermediate support and locks a position of the intermediate support relative to the main support at a front portion of anterior component. The adjustment mechanism has an actuator for disengaging the main support from the intermediate support at the front portion and permits the intermediate support to pivot relative to the main support at the rear portion to vary a height of the frontal opening. A posterior component of the cervical collar is adapted to provide improved anterior-posterior and lateral occipital support.