Radiolucent transport and diagnostic procedure board

A transportation and procedure board for immobilizing a patient with cervical injuries includes a traction indicating device integrally formed with the board for maintaining traction irrespective of the orientation of the board. The board includes handholds along opposite sides, a plurality of straps for immobilizing the patient and releasably connectable to the board, and a common traction applicator and indicator disposed at the foot of the board. The board is completely self-contained and all parts are formed of materials compatible for use with radiolucent machines, such as C.T., M.R.I. and X-ray machines.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a transportation diagnostic procedure 
board for medical purposes and particularly relates to a transportation 
and diagnostic procedure board for patients having cervical or spinal 
injuries. More particularly, the board is compatible for use with 
radiolucent machines and procedures such that the patient may remain 
immobilized on the board during transport and while undergoing the 
diagnostic procedure. 
As those familiar with rescue and emergency equipment for use with injured 
people will readily appreciate, it is oftentimes critical to completely 
immobilize the injured person, for example, at the scene of an accident, 
to avoid exacerbating the individual's injury and occasioning further 
trauma. This is particularly true with respect to cervical or spinal 
injuries where movement of the individual immediately subsequent to the 
injury may result in further, and potentially severe, damage, for example, 
to the nerves governing motor movement. 
Equally critical, however, is the need to maintain the patient immobilized 
until diagnostic tests can be performed and a course of action outlined, 
for example, surgery, if indicated. A number of current transportable 
traction boards are not compatible for use with modern-day diagnostic 
machines and procedures, such as, radiolucent procedures, including 
computer-aided tomography (C.T.), X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging 
(M.R.I.). For example, many boards are formed of metal parts which cause 
problems in using these diagnostic machines, as well as artifact 
interference. One solution, of course, is to remove the patient from the 
transport board and dispose the patient on another support compatible for 
use with the particular diagnostic machine whereby the desired diagnostic 
procedure may be performed. However, this is wholly contrary to the need 
to maintain the patient immobilized until the course of treatment can be 
ascertained. It is therefore highly desirable to immobilize the patient on 
a traction board as soon after the injury as possible and to maintain the 
patient immobilized and in traction on the board both during transport and 
while the diagnostic procedure are being performed. 
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a 
transportation and diagnostic procedure board for patients having cervical 
or spinal injuries wherein the patient may be readily and easily 
immobilized and placed in traction on the board immediately subsequent to 
the injury and which board and the various parts thereof providing the 
traction and immobilization are all self-contained on the board and 
compatible for use with radiolucent machines and diagnostic procedures. To 
accomplish this, the board of the present invention is formed of an 
expanded foam plastic core covered with an acrylic resin lamination. 
Handholds are integrally formed in the board at longitudinally spaced 
positions along its opposite sides such that the board can be lifted for 
transport purposes. Additionally, a pair of elongated strips are secured 
at laterally spaced positions to the upper surface of the board and extend 
lengthwise thereof for releasable connection with two or more straps which 
extend transversely to the board. The straps are disposed at selected 
longitudinal positions along the board and disposed about the patient's 
torso. The straps and strips have connecting means, preferably Velcro-type 
fasteners, such that the patient's torso may be strapped to the board in 
relative immobilized position. 
Integral with the board is a traction applying and indicating device which 
includes a traction bale or halo for connection with the patient's head, a 
flexible line including a cleat for adjusting the traction and a traction 
indicator. Preferably, the board is formed with a central opening 
extending substantially its full length and terminating in an approximate 
180.degree. bend at the head end of the board to open in the direction of 
the patient's head. A flexible radiolucent compatible rope extends through 
the opening and is attached at its opposite ends to the bale and traction 
applying and indicator means, respectively. At the bale, the rope is 
double-backed and cleated to itself once sufficient traction has been 
applied to the patient, i.e., on the order of 10-15 pounds. 
The traction applying and indicating means is formed integrally with the 
board adjacent its foot end and is disposed between its upper and lower 
surfaces, i.e., it is confined within the board such that the profile of 
the board remains smooth and undisturbed. The traction applying and 
indicating means includes a housing mounting a resilient or deflectable 
blade, both housing and blade being formed of a plastic radiolucent 
compatible material. Particularly, an end of the blade is secured against 
movement relative to the board, while a blade portion extends freely from 
the secured end into the chamber of a housing disposed in the board. The 
blade portion and chamber can be viewed through a translucent window 
formed in and flush with the upper surface of the board. The opposite end 
of the rope is secured to the free end of the blade such that, once the 
blade is deflected to apply the traction, the resiliency of the blade 
maintains the traction force applied to the patient through the rope. That 
is, the blade itself, after deflection from a null position, maintains the 
rope under tension and hence maintains the patient in traction. 
Additionally, the traction force can be measured as the blade end 
traverses indicia formed on the indicator housing. Thus, the magnitude of 
the applied traction force can readily be ascertained by the indicator. 
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there 
is provided a carrying board for a patient and which board is compatible 
for use with radiolucent procedures comprising an elongated, substantially 
rigid board having a core formed of a plastic foam material and a plastic 
outer covering. An elongated opening is formed in the board and extends 
lengthwise thereof. An elongated flexible element extends through the 
opening. Traction applying and indicating means are carried by the board 
and are connected to one end of the flexible element. Traction connecting 
means are provided for connection with the head of the patient lying on 
the board and connection with the opposite end of the flexible element. 
Means are carried by the board for strapping a patient to the board. The 
traction applying and indicating means, the traction connecting means, the 
flexible element and the board are formed of materials compatible for use 
with radiolucent machines and diagnostic procedures. 
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a 
novel and improved transportation and diagnostic procedure board for 
cervical or spinal injuries and formed of materials compatible for use 
with radiolucent machines and diagnostic procedures whereby the board may 
be used both during transport of the patient and when the patient 
undergoes radiolucent diagnostic procedures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of 
the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying 
drawings. 
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a transportation and 
diagnostic procedure board constructed in accordance with the present 
invention and generally designated 10. Preferably, the procedure board 10 
comprises an elongated, preferably flat, board which has a length and 
width in excess of the height and width of most individuals whereby the 
individuals, as indicated in FIG. 1, may lie along the upper surface of 
the board. Preferably, the board is formed of an expanded inner foam core 
12 and an outer shell or cover of an acrylic resin laminate 14. The foam 
core 12 may comprise a rigid expanded polystyrene foam. Other foams such 
as polypropylene and polyurethane may also be used. One preferred foam may 
be a polystyrene foam manufactured under the tradename Airex.TM.. The 
outer cover 14 is preferably formed of an acrylic resin reinforced with 
carbon fiber, Kevlar and woven glass. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of longitudinally spaced 
handholds 16 are integrally formed along the lateral margins of board 10 
at longitudinally spaced positions therealong, whereby the board with an 
individual lying thereon may be picked up and transported. The handholds 
thus constitute elongated slots sufficiently wide to receive the hands of 
individuals carrying the board. 
In order to immobilize a patient lying on board 10, means are provided for 
strapping the patient to the board. Such means, for example, may include a 
pair of laterally spaced elongated strips 18 secured along their 
underside, for example, by adhesive, to the upper surface of board 10. The 
strips are provided with connecting means which cooperate with connecting 
means formed on two or more laterally extending straps 20. Preferably, the 
connecting means constitute the hooks or loops of Velcro-type fasteners. 
The strips 18 extend longitudinally of the board substantially its full 
length whereby, depending upon the number of straps 20 used, the patient 
may be strapped to the board at various positions along the patient's 
torso and along the board. The straps 20, as indicated above, have 
cooperating means, preferably the hooks or loops of Velcro-type tasteners, 
for cooperation with the opposing hooks or loops, respectively, of the 
Velcro-type fasteners carried by the strips 18 whereby the straps 20 can 
be longitudinally positioned along board 10 and secured thereto simply by 
pressing the straps onto the strips 18. Likewise, the straps may extend 
about the patient's torso and be secured in position to substantially 
immobilize the patient on the board simply by overlaying the end of one 
strap over the opposite end of such strap. It will be appreciated that 
such opposite ends will have hooks and fasteners of the Velcro type which 
cooperate one with the other. 
A central opening 27 is formed longitudinally through the board and opens 
through an upwardly and rearwardly directed aperture 28 through the upper 
board surface adjacent the head end of the board. A tubular sleeve 30 
extends in the opening 27, the opening 27 and sleeve 30 making an 
approximately 180.degree. turn at the head end of the board whereby the 
sleeve and opening open rearwardly in a direction toward the head of the 
patient. Opening 27 and sleeve 30 at their opposite ends open into a 
compartment 29 formed at the foot end of the board and which forms part of 
the traction applying and indicating means hereof which will now be 
described. 
In accordance with the present invention, a traction applying and 
indicating means 32 is provided and includes a bale or halo 24 adapted for 
securement to the head of an individual lying on the board. Such bale or 
halo may be of the type described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,539,979 of common assignee herewith. The bale 24 is connected to a 
flexible element or rope 26, i.e., a rope or line, formed, for example, of 
Kevlar. Element 26 extends through opening 28 at the head of the board for 
passage through sleeve 30. 
Traction applying and indicating means 32, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, 
comprises a housing 36 received in the compartment 29 of the body of board 
10. The housing 36 has a mounting block 38 along one side which is grooved 
or slotted at 40 to receive an end of a resilient or deflectable blade 42. 
That is, the end 41 of blade 42 is rigidly secured in the groove of 
mounting block 38, for example, by screws 44. The remaining portion 43 of 
blade 42 extending from fixed end 41 is free for resilient deflecting 
movement within housing 36. The end of element 26 is secured to the 
resilient free portion 43 of blade 42. 
When blade portion 43 is deflected from a predetermined neutral or null 
position and thereby biased for return to the neutral or null position, 
the return bias of the blade portion 43 furnishes the force for tensioning 
element 26 and applying the traction to the patient. Housing 36 is 
disposed in the opening in the body such that the housing including all of 
the elements contained therein either lie flush with the upper and lower 
surfaces of the housing or are inset from such surfaces. In this manner, 
the upper and lower surfaces of the board remain smooth and undisturbed. 
Housing 36 has a translucent covering 46 which preferably lies flush with 
the upper surface of the board body. Housing 36 may be provided along its 
upper surface with indicia 48 for indicating the magnitude of the traction 
force applied by the blade to the patient lying on the board when blade 
portion 43 is displaced from its neutral position. 
It is a particular feature of the present invention that all of the 
elements of the transportation and diagnostic procedure board 10 hereof 
are formed of materials compatible for use with radiolucent diagnostic 
machines. For example, the materials are compatible for use with 
computer-aided tomography, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging machines. 
As an example of the materials used, the sleeve 30 is formed of Teflon and 
the flexible element 26 is formed Kevlar. The board itself, of course, is 
formed of expanded polystyrene foam with an acrylic resin covering along 
its outer surfaces. The acrylic resin coating may be reinforced with 
carbon fiber, Kevlar and woven glass. The flexible blade 42 of the 
traction applying and indicating means is formed of polypropylene and has 
a clear acrylic transparent cover 46. The straps are preferably formed of 
a combination of foam and nylon tricot. 
In use, straps 20 are adjusted in longitudinal position along the board and 
relative to one another such that the patient may be strapped to the board 
in an immobilized position. It will be appreciated that additional straps 
may be employed at different longitudinal positions along the board as 
necessary to immobilize the patient. After the patient is placed on the 
board, the halo or bale 24 is next attached to the head of the patient and 
traction is applied by manually tensioning rope 26 against the return bias 
of the resilient blade portion 43 once deflected from its null position. 
The rope is then cleated to itself in its tensioned condition. The 
magnitude of the applied traction is readily ascertainable by reading 
scale or indicia 48. Consequently, the individual immobilized on the board 
is placed in traction of a predetermined magnitude by a traction applying 
and indicating means which is wholly integral with the board. Because the 
board and ancillary equipment carried thereon are formed of materials 
compatible for use with radiolucent diagnostic machines and procedures, 
the patient can be disposed in such diagnostic machine without artifact 
interference, metal problems or other interference from the board per se. 
In this manner, the patient can remain in traction from the time the 
patient is placed on the board to the time that a diagnosis has been made 
and additional procedures, such as surgery, are indicated. 
Thus, it will be appreciated that the objects of the present invention have 
been fully accomplished in that there has been provided a transport and 
diagnostic procedure board for immobilizing a patient with cervical or 
spinal injuries, and which procedure board is compatible for use with 
radiolucent diagnostic machines and procedures. 
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently 
considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be 
understood that he invention is not to be limited to the disclosed 
embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various 
modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and 
scope of the appended claims.