Vacuum Splint with Integrated Pump for Chin Immobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional neck braces require adjustment and external pumps for operation, which can be time-consuming and impractical in emergency situations, and may not provide a secure fit for patients of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-operated neck brace with a deflatable splint body filled with compressible particles, featuring a manually operable pump and one-way directional valves, allowing for quick application and immobilization without external pumps, and adjustable coupling for secure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional neck braces are used, then they can provide neck immobilization, but they require pre-adjustment and external pumps which consume time and are impractical in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum pump mechanism directly into the splint body, eliminating the need for separate external pump devices. The manual vacuum pump is integrated within the splint structure, allowing simultaneous immobilization and inflation without requiring separate adjustment steps or external equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The splint is designed to be self-inflating through an integrated manual vacuum pump that can be operated directly on the device. The system serves itself by containing all necessary components (pump, chamber, valves) within the splint structure, eliminating the need for external assistance or pre-adjustment by medical personnel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional neck braces are used, then they can immobilize the neck, but they require assessment and manipulation to ensure appropriate fit for different patient sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The splint incorporates a flexible, dynamic structure that can adapt to different neck circumferences. The splint body is designed to be manually contoured and shaped around the patient's neck, allowing it to accommodate various sizes without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or pre-sizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The splint allows for parameter changes in its physical configuration through manual manipulation. The material and structure can be contoured, compressed, and shaped to match different patient anatomies, providing adaptability through physical transformation rather than mechanical adjustment.
3Productivity
If inflatable neck braces with external pumps are used, then they do not require pre-adjustment, but they require coupling and activation of external pump devices which may be detrimental in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump is merged with the splint body into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for coupling external pumps and reduces the number of steps required for application, directly addressing the productivity issue while simplifying the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated splint-pump unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: immobilization, inflation, and operation. The single device performs what previously required separate components (splint plus external pump), reducing complexity while maintaining or improving application speed.
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, secure immobilization of the neck and chin, accommodating various sizes without pre-adjustment, ensuring effective injury prevention and ease of use in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
a manually operable vacuum pump which has an input communicated with the inflatable interior of the splint body
Implementation Method 2
The interior of the neck brace contains loosely compressible particles
Data Source
AI summary
A particle filled neck brace is used for immobilizing the neck and chin of a patient and 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 specifically 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 stress onto the patient.