Vacuum Neck Brace With Integrated Pump For Rapid Immobilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional neck braces require adjustment and external pump activation, which can be time-consuming and detrimental in emergency situations, and may restrict venous blood flow or cause discomfort due to their rigid nature.

Innovation Solution

A customizable neck brace with a detachable pump assembly and compressible particles that forms a patient-specific mold around the neck and chin, allowing for quick application and maintaining access to the neck while providing immobilization without altering the patient's position or restricting blood flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional neck braces are used, then neck immobilization is achieved, but application time increases due to required adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneck immobilizationVSAvoidapplication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The neck brace transitions from a rigid, pre-adjusted structure to a dynamic, adaptable form through the use of compressible particles that can be vacuumed to conform to any patient's neck geometry, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining reliable immobilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the brace material changes from loose and flexible to rigid and immobilizing through vacuum compression, allowing the same structure to adapt to different patient sizes and injury conditions without requiring pre-adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If inflatable neck braces are used, then no pre-adjustment is needed, but external pump activation is required which delays treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidpump activation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum pump is integrated directly into the neck brace structure itself, combining the immobilization device and the activation mechanism into a single unit, thereby eliminating the need for separate external pump equipment and reducing activation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The neck brace contains its own built-in vacuum pump that can be activated directly on the patient's neck, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependence on external equipment or additional activation steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If rigid neck braces are used, then immobilization is achieved, but venous blood flow may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization effectivenessVSAvoidblood flow restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum compression is distributed uniformly across the entire neck surface through the compressible particles, creating localized support exactly where needed while avoiding concentrated pressure points that could restrict blood flow to vital structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If custom-fitted neck braces are used, then proper immobilization is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization effectivenessVSAvoidbrace structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The neck brace is constructed from numerous small, independent compressible particles rather than a single rigid structure, allowing the system to conform to complex geometries through the collective arrangement of simple individual elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The same simple vacuum-brace structure can be applied to patients of any size or injury type, eliminating the need for multiple different brace designs or custom fittings while maintaining effective immobilization across diverse cases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables rapid, adjustable, and comfortable immobilization of the neck, preventing further injury while allowing access and maintaining venous blood flow, suitable for emergency situations without the need for pre-adjustment or external pump activation.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum pump integrated into the front panel of the neck brace to remove air from the internal volume of the neck brace

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS10610401B2Vacuum splint apparatus for accessing the neck of a patient and method for using the same

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 ISLAVA STEVE

AI summary

A particle filled neck brace used for immobilizing the neck and chin of a patient which includes a vacuum pump disposed on the neck brace, which pump is communicated to the interior of the neck brace. After the neck brace is secured around the neck and chin of the patient, the vacuum pump is manipulated to remove air from the neck brace to form a rigid mold about the patient's neck and chin. The vacuum pump has a one way directional valve so that the neck brace remains in a rigid configuration for as long as the neck brace is applied to the patient. The neck brace also forms a rigid mold over the patient's chin so as to immobilize the patient as well as to provide a comfortable fit without inducing further distracting the patient or restricting the patient's venous return blood flow.