Optionally disposable cervical restraining device

An optionally disposable lightweight, readily stored, low cost cervical spine board made of plastic corrugated board. The device has pre-cut score lines therein for folding the device around the sides of the head and around the sides of the body. Head and neck tabs, and body wings are secured by straps which straps are pre-attached to the device, and which are secured by conventional lock closures similar to those used in car seat belts and other restraining devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates in general to devices for immobilizing the human 
head, neck and torso and relates more particularly to such devices for use 
in emergency situations to immobilize the body to prevent further injury 
to the injured or potentially injured cervical spine. The device is 
especially useful for rescue at sea, or in other wet and/or snowy 
locations. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Numerous devices have been proposed in the past to perform the function of 
immobilizing or stabilizing the human head and neck for emergency 
purposes. Such devices are extremely important, particularly in emergency 
situations, in the handling of possible fractures of the cervical spine. 
In the cases of industrial injuries, automobile accidents and battlefield 
injuries, it is usually necessary to remove the patient from the injury 
scene, often under conditions of stress or time pressure, for 
transportation to medical facilities. This removal is almost always 
accomplished by personnel who are not medical doctors, although they may 
have had varying amounts of education and training in the handling of 
injured patients. 
In the handling and moving, there is a high risk of aggravation of injuries 
to the cervical spine if the patient's head and neck are not properly 
immobilized or stabilized. 
Many prior art U.S. Patents disclose devices comprising a rigid board 
member having straps attached thereto for attachment to a patient to 
immobilize the head and neck. These devices provide a rigid structure for 
completely preventing lateral motion and rotation of the patient's head 
but are expensive, bulky and complicated to use. Because of their cost, 
emergency personnel can usually afford to have only one device with them. 
This not only makes proper immobilization impossible of other injured 
patients in the same accident but also prevents the emergency personnel 
from returning to duty until their board is returned. Further, the board 
may not be removed until x-rays have ruled out neck or back injuries. The 
wood or metal devices presently used allow only very poor quality films 
when x-rays are shot through them. 
Some of these problems were addressed in my first patent application, now 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,999. Others of these problems such as the need for an 
improved cervical immobilization board for use in wet conditions were not 
recognized at that time. 
There is a need, therefore, for an optionally disposable, inexpensive 
readily stackable, more radiolucent C-spine immobilizer that can be 
employed easily by non-physician personnel. 
It is an object to provide a cervical spine immobilizer that is easily and 
quickly applied to injured persons, and allows them to be carried while 
wearing the device. 
Still another object is to provide a spine board that can be stored in 
large quantities in very little space, such as on shipboard. 
Yet another object is to provide a light weight spine board that is 
suitable for wet disaster situations. 
These and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will 
in part appear hereinafter. 
The invention accordingly comprises the product possessing the features, 
properties and the relation of elements which are exemplified in the 
following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application of which 
will be indicated in the claims. 
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, 
reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in 
connection with the accompanying drawings. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A cervical spine immobilization device is provided that comprises a 
corrugated plastic board member. The device includes a reinforcement panel 
at a critical central zone. Various portions of the device are held 
together in their secured locations by straps and belts such as of nylon 
webbing attached to the device. 
The device is adapted for easy storage and use in emergency medical 
treatment situations, including underwater rescue efforts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
As seen in FIG. 1 device 10 has a main body portion 11 comprised of 
corrugated plastic in which the corrugations are vertically oriented for 
ease of fitting to patient which includes a generally longitudinal 
elongated center reinforcement portion 12 which is comprised of preferably 
a single thickness solid vacuum molded plastic which is then permanently 
mounted thereon as by stapling to the central section 11' of main body 11 
with 1" metal staples. Preferably reinforcement 12 has rounded top and 
bottom edges 12B. 
Depending outwardly at the top of main body 11 are head flanges 13 and 15. 
These are generally rectangular of optionally double thickness with 
preferably round upper corners 14 and lower corners 16. Disposed 
intermediate the head flanges at the top and the body members 25, 27 at 
the bottom of the device 10, are the neck collars 17, and 19 which are the 
next element to described. 
Disposed just below said head flanges and also extending outwardly on 
either side of said center portion 12 are the neck collar members 17 and 
19. Fold lines 33 and 35 which commence external to 12B, for the interior 
edge of both head flanges while the hard neck collar members 17 and 19 
have fold lines designated 33' and 35', which are in fact segments of fold 
lines 33 and 35, as their interior edges. While designated fold lines, the 
folds will most likely transpire at time of usage. 
Returning now to the discussion of the flanges, it is seen that the 
intermediate vertical fold lines 81 and 82 are spaced substantially 
equidistant from each other, and though by a greater distance from the 
outer vertical edge of each head flange to the outermost of said fold 
lines 81, 82, as well as equidistant from the respective interior fold 
lines 33 and 35. Optionally a throughbore 83, 84 may be made in the head 
flange of about 1" diameter, spaced up about 4" on the first inwardly 
intermediate fold line 81 and 82. These throughbores serve as a guide 
means for sound directed to the ears of the patient such that when the 
head flange is positioned as shown in FIG. 8, the patient can still hear, 
since sound will not easily penetrate the closed cell foam stabilizer 
which is designated 90 and is described below. 
Slots 18 and 20, usually about 1/2" in elevation, are situated between the 
bottom edge of each head flange and its adjacent collar member, to permit 
each to be used independently. 
The neck collar members 17 and 19 comprise generally outwardly extending, 
mirror image, 90 degree downwardly depending, boot-like portions secured 
to or integrally formed with central member 11'. These include vertical 
fold lines 71 and 72. Portions 17 and 19 each include a built in 
triangular chin tab 51 and 52 within the upper distal corner relative to 
the central reinforcement portion 12. These chin tabs may be separately 
padded on the front surface, e.g. with a urethane foam layer or preferably 
as seen in FIG. 1, the pads extend full width across the upper edge 
thereof and are designated 251, 252. Diagonal score lines 55 and 56 are 
used to fold back these built in chin tabs 51 and 52 to conform to the 
bone structure of the patient. Note the angularity elsewhere in the 
Figures of the chin tab. The boot-like portions 17' and 19' also have 
rounded edges at the lower end thereof, again to avoid injury to the 
patient. 
Lower score lines 23 and 24, are used in the positioning of the collar 
members 17 and 19 relative to the patient as seen in FIGS. 6-8. 
In use, the lower score lines 23, 24 are bent outward to allow a flat 
surface to press against the patient's chest in order to complete the 
support of the collar members 17, 19. 
Score lines are to be differentiated from fold lines in that score lines 
are diagonal, while fold lines are vertical as used herein. 
An optional, but preferred hemispherical cutout 29 may be made on the edge 
of the members 17 and 19 to permit an easy wide access to the throat 
should a tracheotomy be necessary. 
As will be understood on reading the area below pertaining to use of this 
invention, the disposition of the collar is key, since it serves to center 
the board 10 on the patient in contrast to virtually every other vest type 
spinal immobilization device wherein the patient is centered by the body 
flanges. 
The discussion now turns to the body members 25 and 27, per FIG. 1. These 
single thickness body members 25 and 27 are each disposed on opposite 
sides of the central section 11' and are preferably integrally formed 
therewith since they too are made of double walled corrugated plastic, 
preferably the same plastic material as to the head flanges and collar 
members preferably with the corrugations vertically oriented. 
Body members 25 and 27 each include several segments. The first of these 
are L-shaped, outwardly extending mirror image segments 25A and 27A which 
are disposed adjacent to the central section 11' as reinforced by 
elongated member 12. Each of these segments extends outwardly to a 
vertical fold line 61B and 62B respectively. 
The intermediate fold lines 61C and 62C respectively are vertically aligned 
with a pair of the exterior intermediate fold lines 81 and 82 on head 
flanges 15 and 13 respectively. 
The wing segments 25B and 27B commence along the fold lines 61B and 62B and 
comprise two parts. The first parts are each quadrilaterals, 125B and 127B 
and each extends from along fold line 61B and 62B respectively, generally 
outward and then upward and convexly arcuate from the bottom edge 37, 36 
of the shorter in elevation part of the L-shaped segments to fold lines 
61A and 62A respectively, as well as outwardly and then concavely arcuate 
upward from the top edge 39, 38 of the shorter in elevation part of the 
L-shaped segments to fold lines 61A and 62A; to their terminal also at 
fold line 61A and 62A, which fold lines constitute the intersections of 
the second part of the wing segments, 225B and 227B. These wing segment 
second parts 225B and 227B are each generally rectangular with each of the 
three corners being preferably rounded for the comfort of the patient. 
Vertical fold line 61A' and 62A' are spaced inwardly from the outer edge 
of the second segments, i.e. fold lines 61A and 62A. Having described the 
structure in general, the discussion now turns to the elements used to 
secure the patient within the device. The actual mode to do so will be 
discussed infra. Reference is now made to FIG. 4 as well as to FIG. 1. 
Since FIG. 1 is the larger figure, the plurality of elongated slots for the 
threading of the single layer webbing belts is shown with their 
appropriate numerical designator. To keep the 4th figure from being 
cluttered, only the straps and belts have been numbered, and not the 
slots. It is to be seen however that the strapping used for the Velcro 
connections, as around the head, constitutes two layered strapping. 
As is known, Velcro is a registered trademark of Velcro USA for its 
patented engageable and releasable multihook cloth closure. The closure 
employs a male hooking section and a female hook receiving section. 
The head flanges 13, 15 are secured by two vertically spaced velcro straps 
40 and 41 each of which is two layered. The first layer is a nylon or 
polyolefin on the rear, i.e. the surface designated 43, while the front 
face has a co-extensive pile type layer thereupon designated 42. Each of 
these straps 40, 41, is engageable with its respective vertically spaced 
rock type tab 45 and 44, which tabs are horizontally axially aligned with 
their respective straps. 
The neck collar members are secured by a single simlar Velcro pile type 
strap 46 which engages a single Velcro hook type tab 47, after the members 
have been bent from a first extended position, through a second parallel 
position, to a third position facing each other over the upper chest of 
the victim (wearer), with the area beneath the score lines 23 and 24 bent 
outwardly. 
It is to be seen that a male Velcro section can be substituted for the 
female on the strap and that the tab can be female, since the same closure 
interlock will transpire. Also, there is no criticality as to left or 
right for the disposition of the tabs and straps. Any and all of the 
straps may be on the left side of the rear of the device 10 or on the 
right rear thereof, so long as the tab is placed in the counterpart 
location. Caution should be exercised because Velcro hooks stick to 
anything and are abrasive on the skin. 
Sets of two pairs of vertically elongated horizontally and vertically 
aligned slots designated 95AU, 95BU, 95AL, 95BL , 96AU, 96BU, 96AL, and 
96BL respectively are provided in the second segments 27B and 25B. 
A second set of pairs of vertically and horizontally similarly sized 
vertically elongated slots 97AU, 97BU, 97AL, 97BL, 98AU, 98BU, 98AL & 98BL 
are provided in the L-shaped segments between fold lines 61C and 33; and 
between fold lines 62C and 35 respectively laterally. The second two pair 
of slots should be horizontally aligned with the respective upper and 
lower first two pair of slots, in order to receive webbing belts, to be 
described else where herein. 
In the nomenclature pertaining to elongated slots 95 through 98 inclusive, 
"A" designates the outer of the two slots, and "B" the inner; while "U" 
and "L" designate upper or lower position. 
The belts are made of nylon or polyolefin webbing and are similar to those 
used for automobile or airplane seat belts. Thus belts 48U and 48L (upper 
and lower) are threaded through the pairs of aligned elongated slots as 
described previously for proper disposition. The height of the slots 95AU, 
95BU, 95AL, 95BL are large enough such that the belts 48 can be disposed 
in place with the tongue 49 and receptor 50 in place at opposite ends of 
each belt. Any type of conventional tongue and appropriate receptor 
available in the marketplace may be employed. Complete belts 48 including 
the tongue and receptor are readily available from several manufacturers. 
Also seen in FIG. 4 are a pair of vertically aligned slots which are both 
wider and longer than the slots discussed above. These slots 37,38 are 
designed as hand holds and are sized to receive an average human hand. A 
hand of an ambulance team member is placed in each hand hold 37, 38, 
during the positioning of the patient onto a stretcher, to avoid slippage 
due to the inherent slippery nature of the plastic material employed in 
the construction of device 10. 
The tabs and straps may be secured in place by any conventional means, e.g. 
glue, staples, stitching or a combination thereof. 
Returning now to the reinforcement member 12, as seen in FIG. 1, which is 
held in place by staples, and/or adhesive, there is superposed thereon a 
closed cell foam head stabilizer 90. This head stabilizer is a U-shaped 
member having a central portion 91 secured as by a suitable adhesive to 
reinforcement member 12 adjacent rounded upper edge 12B and between 12B 
and the bottom of the recess 12C on 12. Extending outwardly therefrom on 
opposite sides are a pair 92, 93 of extension sections that are integrally 
formed with central portion 91 and extend generally forward. The extension 
sections serve both to cushion and to better hold the head of the user in 
position when the head flaps are folded up around the head as shown in the 
drawings. The head stabilizer provides both comfort to the face and 
retention within the head flaps 15, 14. 
Upper surface 12C is an optional recess that receives and comforts the back 
of the head. See FIG. 1. 
DISPOSITION UPON AN INJURED TY 
While the device can be positioned on a patient by a single rescuer, the 
use of two persons who are adequately trained in C-spine immobilization 
techniques is recommended. 
First, position the collar as shown in FIG. 6. This is achieved by bending 
the chin tabs 51 and 52 back at the pre-scored cuts 56 and 55 per FIG. 1 
and FIGS. 4-6. The small rubber pads 252 and 251 seen in FIG. 1, are to be 
placed just under the outer edges of the jaw per FIG. 6. If necessary bend 
the lower portion of the collar outward as needed to keep the neck of the 
patient in a neutral position. The pair of head straps 40, 41, which have 
pile type Velcro thereon are brought over into engagement with the hook 
type Velcro tabs 45 and 44 neither of these last mentioned tabs being 
visible in FIG. 8, but which are seen in FIG. 4. 
Next, bring the pile type strap 46 into engagement with the hook tab 45 
adjusting for patients size. 
Thirdly, the straps 48U and 48L are adjusted to accommodate the girth of 
the patient, by moving the tongue ends 49 along their respective belts 
such that the tongues can engage the receivers 50 to thereby retain the 
patient within the confines of the body member segments. Reference is made 
to FIG. 8. 
As a caution, the rescuers are advised to make sure that there is no 
pressure being applied against the trachea or the carotid arteries or 
throat. One reason for elements 251 and 252 is to help avoid such 
pressure. 
The instant device is intended for either a one time usage, after which it 
can be discarded, due to its relatively low cost or if desired it can be 
used a multiplicity of times, since it is strong enough to permit same. In 
view of the materials employed herein, while the device is not primarily 
intended to be used for the vertical lifting of a sitting patient, nor for 
the dragging of an injured party from the scene of an incident as by 
pulling on the device, it may be used for such purposes on a limited basis 
if necessary. 
The corrugated double walled plastic board recommended for this device need 
not be dipped sprayed or otherwise coated with a waterproofing agent such 
as a wax or plastic coating, since the plastic layers used herein is 
itself is waterproof, as is the webbing used for the strapping. 
Printed indicia such as instructions, product safety information and the 
like can be printed at various locations such as those marked 58. 
The device of this invention, which is preferably made, except as noted, 
primarily from high density polyethylene corrugated plastic sheeting 
overlaid on each side with high density non-corrugated reinforcing panels 
is seen to provide the dual benefit of both C-spine immobilization, as 
well as providing a built in hard cervical collar to rigidity the head of 
an injured patient, when secured to the body using the straps as disclosed 
herein. 
Since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing 
from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all 
matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying 
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.