Spine board

A spine board including a backboard wherein at least a portion of the backboard is transparent, and a removable mirror having a reflective surface facing the backboard when the mirror is coupled to an underside of the backboard.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a spine board used to immobilize a patient who has experienced trauma, and more specifically, to a spine board comprising a mirror and a backboard, wherein at least a portion of the backboard is transparent and the backboard is coupled thereto to assist examination of the posterior of an immobilized patient.

BACKGROUND

Medical care of a patient involved in a trauma includes visual assessment of the patient's posterior surface. Many such patients present to an emergency department securely immobilized to a spine board. Spine board immobilization prevents movement of the spinal column, reducing the risk of further damaging the spinal cord. However, the posterior surface of the patient must be assessed for other injuries.

Current practice involves a log roll method to view the posterior surface of the patient. Log rolling is a technique for turning a patient whose body must be axially aligned, in which extremities are held close to the patient's sides and the patient is rolled like a log. This practice may be responsible for neurologic deterioration in up to 25% of patients with spinal cord injuries during initial management. Data supports a position against the practice of log rolling, yet no one has offered a better solution, causing significant motion in unstable spines when there is a need for visual assessment of the patient's posterior surface.

A suggested replacement of the log roll being a technique is known as the 6+lift and slide1, with six healthcare providers all lifting the patient straight up while the spine board is slid out from underneath the patient. However, the 6+life and slide1 procedure requires a significant number of healthcare providers, creates a danger to the patient while the spine board is removed, and is labor-intensive. Even when done correctly, the 6+lift and slide1 technique provides no opportunity for the medical staff to visually assess the posterior surface without lifting the patient over their heads.

There remains a need for a spine board that assists a person, such as a doctor, nurse, or emergency medical technician (EMT), to examine a patient while alleviating or eliminating at least (1) the likelihood of aggravating spine trauma, (2) effort required of medical personnel, (3) the difficulty in examining the posterior of a patient while that patient's spine is immobilized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a spine board comprising a backboard, wherein at least a portion of the backboard is transparent, and an at least partially removable mirror coupled to an underside of the backboard, wherein a reflective surface of the mirror faces the backboard.

The spine board disclosed herein allows medical personnel to visually assess the posterior surface of a patient for injury while maintaining the patient in spinal immobilization until radiographic evidence rules out spinal cord injury or the spine board as a transport device is no longer necessary. The visual assessment may be made through the backboard or via the mirror reflecting the image of the backboard. Not only will this eliminate or greatly reduce further injury during initial management, but will allow for visual assessment of the posterior surface of the patient.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board100in accordance with an embodiment.FIG. 1Billustrates a side view of the spine board100ofFIG. 1A.

The spine board100comprises a backboard102and a detachable mirror110coupled to the underside of the backboard102, as shown inFIG. 1B. The backboard102may have a portion that is transparent, for example, where a center of the backboard102is transparent and a boarder is opaque. Alternatively, the backboard102may be fully transparent. A reflective surface of the mirror110faces the backboard. The mirror110may be coupled at any one or more of the sides of the backboard102. When not in use the mirror110may be substantially flush with the underside of the backboard102.

The backboard102may comprise any transparent, and preferably also radiolucent, material such as a plastic including but not limited to acrylic, amino resin, any cellulosic, polyimide, polyester, polyolefin, and styrene. The backboard102may be manufactured to any required size and shape specifications. The thickness of the backboard may be determined based on that necessary to support a patient to a weight of, for example, 100 pounds for a child or 500 pounds for an adult. The backboard102may have handholds104formed at one or more places near the perimeter of the backboard102for people, such as medical personnel, to grip the spine board100and move the spine board100and any patient located thereon. The handholds104may be formed by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other means, as are known in the art, to improve grip on the backboard102.

The mirror110may be comprised of a plastic material, such as acrylic or Plexiglas, and can be manufactured to the required size and shape specifications of the backboard102. The mirror110may also be made of any material with a reflective surface, including treated glass, metal, or a composite material, and may be flat, convex, or concave. The mirror110material may be made of a radiolucent material, such as silvered plastic. The thickness of the mirror110may be determined based on the size and shape to fit flush or within the perimeter of the backboard102. The mirror110is not intended to support the weight of the patient.

The mirror110may be coupled to the backboard102using any of a number of coupling devices. One such coupling device is a clamp120, as shown inFIGS. 1A-1C. A clamp120allows users, such as medical personnel, to open the clamp120, as shown inFIG. 1C, and release the mirror110from the backboard102when the backboard102is elevated, as shown inFIG. 1A. This allows for visualization of the underside of the backboard102and thus the posterior surface of the patient. The mirror110may be completely or partially removed, including allowing the backboard102to support the patient when radiolucency is required. The clamp120may also mate with an indentation in the backboard106to further secure the mirror110to the backboard102.

FIG. 1Ashows six clamps120—one at the head portion of the spine board100, one at the foot portion, and two on each of the two sides of the spine board100. The disclosure is not limited in this regard. There may be any number of clamps120located at any position around the perimeter of the spine board100as suitable for the intended purpose. Also, the clamps120may be made of any material, such as plastic including radiolucent plastic, metal, or composite materials. The clamps120may affix the mirror110to the backboard102using any means known in the art. In another embodiment, the clamps120may have multiple flanges or tabs to allow the mirror110to be coupled to the backboard102at angles other than parallel to the backboard102, or at variable distances from the backboard102.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board200in accordance with another embodiment.FIG. 2Billustrates a perspective view of a hinge assembly220with hinge224and pull pin228as a coupling device of the spine board200ofFIG. 2A.FIG. 2Cillustrates a side view of the spine board200ofFIG. 2Awith the pull pin228within the hinge224.FIG. 2Dillustrates a side view of the spine board200ofFIG. 2Awith the pull pin228removed from the hinge224.

FIG. 2Ashows six hinge assemblies220—one at the head portion of the spine board200, one at the foot portion, and two on each of the two sides of the spine board200. The disclosure is not limited in this regard. There may be any number of hinge assemblies at any position around the perimeter of the spine board200as suitable for the intended purpose. Also, the hinges224and pull pins228may be made of any material, such as plastic including radiolucent plastic, metal, or composite materials. Any portion of the hinge224or pull pin228that may remain on the backboard202is preferably radiolucent.

Removal of the pull pin228from the hinge224disengages halves of the hinges224A,224B and thereby at that position decouples the mirror210from the backboard202, as shown inFIG. 2D. If the pull pins228are left in the hinges224of only one side of the backboard202, the mirror210may be pivoted away from the underside of the backboard202to, for example, approximately a 60 degree angle to permit a person, such as a doctor, nurse, or EMT, to view in the mirror210the underside of the backboard202and examine the patient with the backboard202requiring only a slight elevation. Alternatively, all of the pull pins228may be removed so that the mirror210may be completely detached from the backboard202to allow the patient to remain immobilized on the spine board200during medical imaging (e.g., x-ray or MRI) or other tests or procedures. As described in other embodiments, handholds204may also be formed on the backboard202by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other known means to improve grip on the backboard202.

FIG. 3Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board300in accordance with another embodiment.FIG. 3Billustrates a side view of the spine board300ofFIG. 3Awith the strap320with snap connection324as a coupling device.FIG. 3Cillustrates a side view of the strap320with snap connection as a coupling device of the spine board300ofFIG. 3A.

Straps320with snaps324are placed around the perimeter of the spine board300to couple the backboard302and mirror310together. The straps320are unsnapped as needed to allow the mirror310to drop away from the backboard302to a desired angle or be completely removed.

FIG. 3Ashows eight straps320—two at the head portion of the spine board300, two at the foot portion, and two on each of the two sides of the spine board300. The disclosure is not limited in this regard. There may be any number of straps320located at any position around the perimeter of the spine board300as suitable for the intended purpose. Also, the straps320may be made of any material, such as plastic or rope, with the snaps324being a material, such as plastic or any other suitable material.FIG. 3Bshows a detailed view of a strap320and snaps324ofFIG. 3A. In one embodiment, the snaps324mate via a female snap324A and a male snap324B. The disclosure is not limited in this regard. Any type of strap or snap fastener may be used in this embodiment. The straps320are removed as needed to allow the mirror310to drop away from the backboard302to a desired angle or completely removed. As described in other embodiments, handholds304may also be formed on the backboard302by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other known means to improve grip on the backboard302.

FIG. 4Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board400in accordance with another embodiment.FIG. 4Billustrates a side view of the spine board400ofFIG. 4Awith a tie420as a coupling device.FIG. 4Cillustrates a perspective view of the tie420as a coupling device of the spine board400ofFIG. 4A.

Ties420are placed around the perimeter of the spine board400to couple the backboard402and mirror410together. The ties420are untied as needed to allow the mirror410to drop away from the backboard402to a desired angle or be completely removed.

FIG. 4Ashows eight ties420—two at the head portion of the spine board400, two at the foot portion, and two on each of the two sides of the spine board400. The disclosure is not limited in this regard. There may be any number of ties420located at any position around the perimeter of the spine board400as suitable for the intended purpose. Also, the ties420may be made of any material, such as plastic including radiolucent plastic, metal, composite materials, rope or leather. As described in other embodiments, handholds404may also be formed on the backboard402by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other known means to improve grip on the backboard402.

FIG. 5Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board500in accordance with another embodiment.FIG. 5Billustrates a side view of the spine board500ofFIG. 5Awith a strap520with a hook and loop fastener524as a coupling device.FIG. 5Cillustrates a perspective view of the strap520as a coupling device of the spine board500ofFIG. 5A.

Straps520with a hook and loop fastener524are placed around the perimeter of the spine board500to couple the backboard502and mirror510together. The straps520may be made of any material, such as Velcro®, plastic including radiolucent plastic, metal, composite materials, or rope. The straps520are disconnected as needed to allow the mirror510to drop away from the backboard502to a desired angle or be completely removed.

FIG. 5Ashows eight straps520—two at the head portion of the spine board500, two at the foot portion, and two on each of the two sides of the spine board500. The disclosure is not limited in this regard. There may be any number of straps520located at any position around the perimeter of the spine board500as suitable for the intended purpose.FIG. 5Bshows a strap520passing through both the backboard502and mirror510, with the hook and loop fastener524coupling the strap520. As described in other embodiments, handholds504may also be formed on the backboard502by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other known means to improve grip on the backboard502.

FIG. 6Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board600in accordance with another embodiment.FIG. 6Billustrates the spine board600ofFIG. 6Awith a side view of a zipper620as a coupling device.FIG. 6Cillustrates a perspective view of the zipper620as a coupling device of the spine board600ofFIG. 6A.

Four zippers620are placed around the perimeter of the spine board600to couple the backboard602and mirror610together. The zippers620are unzipped as needed to allow the mirror610to drop away from the backboard602to a desired angle or be completely removed.

While four zippers620are shown, the disclosure is not limited in this regard. There may be any number of zippers620placed around the perimeter as suitable. For example, there may be a single zipper620that runs along the entire spine board600perimeter. The zippers620may be made of any material, such as plastic including radiolucent plastic, metal, or composite materials. As described in other embodiments, handholds604may also be formed on the backboard602by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other known means to improve grip on the backboard602.

FIG. 7Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board700in accordance with another embodiment.FIG. 7Billustrates the spine board700ofFIG. 7Awith a side view of a strap724and hook722as a coupling device.FIG. 7Cillustrates a perspective view of the strap724and hook722as a coupling device of the spine board700ofFIG. 7A.

Sets of hooks722and straps724are placed around the perimeter of the spine board700to couple the backboard702and mirror710together. The straps724may be detached from the hooks722as needed to allow the mirror710to drop away from the backboard702to a desired angle or be completely removed.

FIG. 7Ashows six hook and strap sets720—one at the head portion of the spine board700, one at the foot portion, and two on each of the two sides of the spine board700. The disclosure is not limited in this regard. There may be any number of hook and strap sets720located at any position around the perimeter of the spine board700as suitable for the intended purpose.FIG. 7Bshows an embodiment of a hook722and strap724. Also, the hooks722and straps724may be made of any material, such as plastic including radiolucent plastic, metal, composite materials, or leather. As described in other embodiments, handholds704may also be formed on the backboard702by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other known means to improve grip on the backboard702.

FIG. 8Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board800in accordance with another embodiment.FIG. 8Billustrates a side view of the spine board800ofFIG. 8Awith a pliable case820as a coupling device.FIG. 8Cillustrates a bottom view of the pliable case820of the spine board800ofFIG. 8A.FIG. 8Dillustrates a perspective view of the pliable case820as a coupling device of the spine board800ofFIG. 8A

A pliable case820comprised of, for example, rubber including radiolucent rubber or plastic including radiolucent plastic, wraps around the perimeter of the backboard802and covers the underside of the mirror810to couple the mirror810to the backboard802. Sides of the pliable case820may be pulled over the edges of all or some of the backboard802to allow the mirror810to drop away from the backboard802to a desired angle or be completely removed. The pliable case820may also be made of composite materials, such as radiolucent plastic for the flat portions beneath the backboard802and rubber at the edge portions that couple the mirror810to the backboard802, or materials chosen to increase strength or durability of the pliable case820. As described in other embodiments, handholds804may also be formed on the backboard802by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other known means to improve grip on the backboard802.

FIG. 9Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board900in accordance with another embodiment.FIG. 9Billustrates a side view of the spine board900ofFIG. 9Awith a pliable bumper920as a coupling device.FIG. 9Cillustrates a bottom view of the pliable bumper920of the spine board900ofFIG. 9A.FIG. 9Dillustrates a perspective view of the pliable bumper920as a coupling device of the spine board900ofFIG. 9A.

A pliable bumper920comprised of, for example, rubber including radiolucent rubber or plastic including radiolucent plastic, wraps around the perimeter to couple the mirror910to the backboard902. The bumper920may be pulled over the edges of the backboard902to allow the mirror910to drop away from the backboard902to a desired angle or completely removed. The pliable case920may also be made of composite materials, such as radiolucent plastic for the portions surrounding the perimeter edge, and rubber at the portions that couple the mirror910to the backboard902, or materials chosen to increase strength or durability of the pliable case920. A difference between the pliable bumper920ofFIGS. 9A-9Cand the pliable case820ofFIGS. 8A-8Cis the pliable bumper920ofFIGS. 9A-9Cdoes not cover the entire underside of the mirror910. As described in other embodiments, handholds904may also be formed on the backboard902by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other known means to improve grip on the backboard902.

FIG. 10Aillustrates a perspective view of a spine board1000in accordance with another embodiment.FIG. 10Billustrates a side view of the spine board1000ofFIG. 10A.FIG. 10Cillustrates a bottom view of the spine board1000ofFIG. 10A.FIG. 10Dillustrates a perspective view of the spine board1000ofFIG. 10A.

The backboard1020has an underside lip1240around its underside in which the mirror1100may be inset and held therein by snap-fit or using any of the coupling devices as described above. As described in other embodiments, handholds1040may also be formed on the backboard1020by holes, cavities, textured surfaces or other known means to improve grip on the backboard1020.

This spine board1000as disclosed herein allows medical personnel to visually assess the posterior surfaces of a patient for injury while maintaining the patient in spinal immobilization until radiographic evidence rules out spinal cord injury or the spine board1000as a transport device is no longer necessary. Not only will this eliminate or greatly reduce further injury during initial management, but will allow for visual assessment of the posterior surface of the patient.

While the terms “medical personnel” and “patient” have been used throughout the disclosure as a convenient manner of describing the spine board, these terms are not meant to be limiting.

Thus, specific compositions and methods of a spine board with a mirror have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.