EMERGENCY MEDICAL COLLAR, COLLAR/STABILIZER, COLLAR/STABILIZER/HEAD IMMOBILIZER

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a head immobilizer (10) used with a cervical collar (12). The cervical collar comprises a front and rear half (68, 70), each half being U-shaped, and a reinforcing member (72) affixed to each half. The head immobilizer generally includes a head rest (16) which is T-shaped and which has a stem and two arms. Each arm has a distal end. The stem releasably engages the reinforcing member affixed to the rear half of the collar. A fastening device (34) is affixed to the distal end of each arm. A mask (18) has an opening therethrough and overlaps, in part, the front half of the collar. A mating device (42) is affixed to the mask and engages the fastening device. A securing device (48) is affixed to the mask and engages the fastening device. A victim's head is immobilized between the head rest, mask, and collar when the fastening device is connected with the mating device and the securing device.

Description: The present invention is directed to a head immobilizer which is used in combination with a cervical collar or a cervical collar/stabilizer combination. Background of the Invention Head immobilization is necessary when an accident victim has suffered trauma to his/her head, neck, and/or spine. Various cervical collars and cervical collar/stabilizer combinations are disclosed in our prior U.S. patents Nos. 3,756,226; 4,502,471; 4,515,153; and 4,677,969. Our U.S. Patent No. 3,957,040 discloses a head immobilization device, but it is not readily usable by emergency medical teams. U.S. Patent No. 4,143,654 illustrates, in Figure 3, the use of a spine board system in combination with a cervical collar. The spine board system comprises a board having a vest at its lower end and two pairs of notches at its upper end. The notches are engaged by head and chin straps which fix the wearer's head against the board. The spine board is not connected to the cervical collar. U.S. Patent No. 4,161,946 illustrates, in Figures 6-8, an inflatable head support. The support comprises a bladder having a lower portion which surrounds the neck and an upper portion which surrounds a substantial portion of the head, but excludes the face of the wearer. The support also includes a strap which is fastened to the upper portion and secures the wearer's head within the upper portion. U.S. Patent No. 4,657,003 illustrates, in Figures 12-14, a collar and head immobilizer, and, in Figures 15-17, a head and neck immobilizer which surround the neck, a substantial portion of the head and a part of the upper torso. Both embodiments are constructed in such a way that they are made rigid by evacuation. The first embodiment, the collar and head immobilizer, comprises a rectangular center portion which wraps around the back and sides of the wearer's head and end tabs which meet under the wearer's chin. The second embodiment, the head and neck immobilizer, comprises a one piece device which straps around the wearer's neck, a substantial portion of the wearer's head, and upper torso. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,677,969; 4,582,051; 4,515,153; and 4,502,471 each disclose a cervical collar and stabilizer combination. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,141,368 and 3,957,040 each disclose head immobilizer and stabilizer combinations. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,538,597 and Design 279,747 are directed to cervical collars. U.S. Patent No. 1,301,276 discloses an open faced mask in Figure 3. US-A-4422454 (English), discloses an emergency extrication appliance comprising a two part cervical collar rigidly connected to a head support and a body support. The appliance can fold into a carrying bag for ease of transport. This patent does not disclose a face mask for the wearer, and access to the throat is not possible without removal of the collar. Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed to a head immobilizer used with a cervical collar. The cervical collar has a member affixed thereto which receives the head immobilizer. The head immobilizer includes a head rest for supporting the rear of the victims head, a mask and a connecting device. The head rest releasably engages the member affixed to the collar, or is integrally formed with the member affixed to the collar, thereby rigidly securing the head rest to the collar in a fixed relation. The mask has an opening therethrough, and one portion of the mask overlaps the victims forehead while another portion of the mask overlaps the collar. The connecting device joins the mask to the head rest such that a victim's head is immobilized between the head rest, mask, and collar. Description of the Drawings For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Figure 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in combination with a cervical collar and stabilizer. Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1 and illustrates a first head immobilizer strap configuration (hereinafter the "Z" strap embodiment). Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrates a second head immobilizer strap configuration (hereinafter the "V" strap embodiment). Figure 6 is an isometric view of a first alternate embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is an isometric view of a second alternate embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is an isometric view of a third alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrated in combination with a cervical collar. Figure 9 is a rear elevational view of the third alternate embodiment illustrated in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is a rear elevational view of a fifth alternate embodiment. Figure 12 is a sectional view of the fourth alternate embodiment taken along sectional line 12-12 of Figure 10. Figure 13 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the sleeve attachment device illustrated in Figures 10-12. Figure 14 is a sectional view taken along lines 14-14 of Figure 13. Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of Figure 13. Figure 16 is a sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 15 which illustrates the release movement of the embodiment of Figures 13-16. Figure 17 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the front stabilizer half illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 and of the connection device illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11. Figure 18 is a sectional view taken along lines 18-18 of Figure 17. Figure 19 is an enlarged view of an alternate embodiment of the connection device illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 and shown in the "unlocked" position. Figure 20 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the front collar half. Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated in Figure 1 a preferred embodiment of the head immobilizer 10 in combination with a cervical collar 12 and stabilizer 14. U.S. Patent Nos. 3,756,226; 4,502,471; 4,515,153; 4,677,969; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 41,898 filed April 23, 1987, entitled "Emergency Medical Cervical Collar" by Anthony Calabrese; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 70,922 filed July 8, 1987, entitled "Emergency Medical Cervical Collar" by Anthony Calabrese are incorporated herein by reference as they are related to cervical collars and cervical collar/stabilizer combinations such as those generally described hereinafter. U.S. Patent No. 3,957,040 is also incorporated herein by reference and is directed to a cervical brace. Cervical collar 12 may be any of the collars described in any of the incorporated references listed above which are modified as follows. Rear collar half 70, referring to Figure 3 herein, is provided with a horizontally disposed Velcro® "loop" strap 74 which is secured to the collar half 70 by a rivet 76 or other fastener. The upper portion of reinforcing member 72 must be detached from the collar portion it overlaps, so that a head rest 16 can be slid over or attached to it, as will be described in greater detail below. A tracheotomy opening 66 is preferably provided in front half 68. The chin support portion of front half 68 is preferably flexible so that it may be folded away from the chin so as to permit vomiting and movement of the jaw. Stabilizer 14 may be any of the stabilizers described in any of the incorporated references listed above which are modified as follows. Front stabilizer half 78 is provided with a Velcro® "hook" strap 86 which is engaged by straps 84 fastened to rear stabilizer half 80 by fasteners 85, such as rivets. Connection device 82 can be any of those previously described in the references incorporated herein. The head immobilizer 10 generally comprises a head rest 16, a mask 18, and a connecting device. The connecting device comprises a fastening device 34 affixed to the head rest 16, a mating device 42 affixed to the mask 18, and a securing device 48 affixed to mask 18. Immobilizer 10 may also be embodied in alternative forms illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 as will be discussed in greater detail after an explanation of the preferred embodiment, which follows. Head rest 16, see Figure 3, is generally "T"-shaped and includes a stem 20 and two arms 22. The head rest 16 comprises a reinforcement member 26, made of a rigid material, such as plastic. Reinforcement member 26 provides rigid support for the back of the victim's head. A padding material 28 is affixed to the reinforcement member 26. Padding material 28 is a foam material which covers the inner surface of the arms of member 26. Padding material 28 may be secured to reinforcement member 26 in any well known manner. Stem 20 is shaped to form a channel 30 by folding over guides 32. See Figures 6 and 7. Channel 30 is sized for receipt of collar reinforcement member 72. Stem 20 slidably engages and mounts on reinforcement member 72 and is preferably secured thereon by friction. Alternatively, stem 20 may take on the form of connection device 82 mentioned above. Mask 18 is preferably a generally rectangular piece of resilient foam material having an opening 55 therethrough. See Figures 1 and 2. The opening is sized to permit exposure of the victim's face, but overlaps the victim's forehead. See Figures 4 and 5. The portion of mask 18 which overlaps the forehead is designated as upper mask portion 54. A lower mask portion 56, which fits below the victim's chin, overlaps the front half 68 of collar 12. The chin portion of front collar half 68 protrudes through opening 55, as illustrated in Figures 1, 4 and 5. An upper crescent shaped cutout 25a is preferably provided in the portion 56 to prevent mask 18 from buckling when it is placed over front half 68. A lower crescent shaped cutout 25b is preferably provided to allow access to tracheotomy opening 66. Upper and lower mask portions 54 and 56 are integrally joined together by lateral side members 58. In the lower corners of mask 18 are wings 60 which are integral with the mask 18 and which extend away from mask 18 at about a 45° angle. A reinforcement member 62 made of a rigid plastic material is preferably affixed to each wing 60 by fasteners 52 and 64, preferably rivets. Wing 60 and reinforcement member 62 spans the space between the victim's clavicle and the portion of the collar adjacent the jaw thereby impeding or preventing side-to-side (tilting) movement and forward movement of the victim's head. Fastening device 34 is affixed to the distal ends of each arm 22 of headrest 16. See Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5. Fastening device 34 comprises a pivotable buckle 36 and a strap 38. A fastener 40, preferably a rivet, secures the fastening device 34 to arm 22. Strap 38, as all straps discussed hereinafter unless noted to the contrary, is made of Velcro® materials, in which a substantial portion of the strap is formed with "loops" and the terminal or free end of the strap comprises "hooks". A mating device 42 is affixed generally to the upper corners of mask 18. See Figures 1, 4 and 5. Mating device 42 comprises a strap 44 which is affixed to mask 18 by fastener 46, such as a rivet. A securing device 48 is affixed generally to the lower corners of mask 18, and comprises a pivotable buckle 50 which is preferably secured to reinforcement member 62 via fastener 52, such as a rivet. See Figures 1, 2 4 and 5. The interconnection of the fastening device 34, mating device 42 and securing device 48 may assume two alternate configurations as illustrated in Figure 4 (the "Z" strap configuration) and Figure 5 (the "V" strap configuration). Note that in both configurations, the victim's ear is accessible so that it may be inspected and blood, spinal fluid, or other foreign matter may be removed therefrom. In the "Z" strap configuration, mating device strap 44 is passed through fastening device buckle 36, pulled taut, and fastened back upon itself via use of the loops and hooks of the strap. Fastening device strap 38 is passed through securing device buckle 50, pulled taut, and the hook fasteners of strap 38 are secured upon loop strap 74 of rear collar half 70. In the "V" strap configuration, mating device strap 44 is passed through fastening device buckle 36, pulled taut, and secured upon itself, as discussed above. Fastening device strap 38 is passed through securing device buckle 50, pulled taut, and fastened onto itself via the loop and hook fasteners. In Figures 6 and 7, the alternate embodiments of the immobilizer 10 are illustrated. These alternate embodiments do not require the use of mask 18. Head rest 16', Figure 6, is generally "T"-shaped and has arms 22' of equal length. Each arm preferably includes an arcuate section which permits the arm to pass above the ear and remain in contact with the head. A strap 88 bridges the gap between the two arms 22 and overlaps the victim's forehead. Strap 88 is affixed to a distal end of an arm 22, preferably by a rivet 89. The strap 88 is passed through a pivotable buckle 36 located on the distal of the other arm 22 and is secured to itself via the loop and hook fasteners of the strap 88. Preferably, a piece of horsehide (not shown) is affixed to the strap 88 for contact with the victim's forehead. Second alternate head rest 16'' includes one arm 22'' which is substantially longer than the other arm 22"'. Like head rest 16', this embodiment also includes a strap 88' and buckle 36 and is used in a like manner. The straps 88 and 88' of both alternate embodiments 16' and 16'' may comprise an elastic portion which is connected between the arm's distal end and the Velcro® strap. Figure 8 illustrates a head immobilizer 10' in use with a cervical collar 12',but excluding the stabilizer 14. Compare with Figure 1. The embodiment of Figure 1 is preferred because it completely immobilizes the victim's head. If the stabilizer 14 is not used, the victim's head can tilt backward (i.e. hyperextend) and pivot on the seventh vertebra. The head immobilizer and collar reduces hyperextension, but the immobilizer and collar with the stabilizer can completely prevent hyperextension. The head immobilizer 10' is similar to those previously described, but differs, significantly, in that the head rest 90 is integral with the rear collar half and a skirt 71 or lower portion of the rear collar half is enlarged, as discussed below. In Figure 9, the head immobilizer 10' is illustrated. The head rest 90 is generally the same as the head rest 16 discussed above, but it is integral with the rear collar's reinforcement member 92. A strap or "halo" strap 94 is affixed to the free end of one arm 93 of the head rest 90 by fastener 95 and has a length which is sufficient to encircle the mask 18 and victim's forehead and overlaps the other arm 93. Strap 94 includes Velcro® loops 96 which engage Velcro® hooks 98 which are affixed to the other arm 93 of head rest 90, however the other strap configurations discussed above can be used instead. With regard to the other strap configurations (Figures 4 and 5), patches of Velcro® 99 are affixed to the lower edge of rear collar half as shown in Fig. 9 and are provided so that straps from the head rest may be affixed thereto without interference with collar half securing straps. The skirt 71' of the rear collar half 70' is enlarged to contact a greater portion of the victim's shoulder thereby impeding side-to-side head tilt. In Figure 10, a head immobilizer 100 is illustrated. Immobilizer 100 is the same as the immobilizer illustrated in Figure 3 except as noted below. A die cut, generally triangular, semi rigid plastic member 102 replaces the "T" shaped member 16 of Figure 3. Member 102 is much more economical to produce than member 16. The plastic material used to make member 102 may be nylon, but other material which can be die cut and are semi rigid may be used. Cushion members 104 are located in the uppermost corners of member 102 on arms 103 and are engageable with the victim's head. Cushion members 104 perform a two fold function: first, they rest against the victim's head to lessen any discomfort; second, they serve as anchors for the fasteners which seal fastening device 34 on member 102. Members 104 are preferred, but not required. Member 102 is releasably attached to a reinforcement member 72' as follows. A sleeve attachment device 106 is located in the lower most corner of member 102. Device 106 comprises two horizontal and parallel slits 108 which have a length greater than the width of the reinforcement member 72' and define band 109 therebetween. An enlarged circular opening is located at the end of each slit. The slits are sufficiently wide so that the reinforcement member 72' may pass there-through. See Figure 12. A hole 110 is located between slits 108 in band 109 and is sized to receive a pin or rivet 112. A wire fastener or nylon fastener 114 is anchored to member 102 through a hole 116 in the member 102 and to pin 112 through hole 118 in the pin 112, thus securing the pin 112 to the 102. Reinforcement member 72' is the same as illustrated in Figure 3 except as follows. A stop 120 comprises a boss or plastic bar stop which is provided on member 72'. In Fig. 12, a hole 122, through member 72', is sized for receipt of pin 112. When member 102 is slid over member 72', stop 120 prevents further downward travel of member 102 and aligns holes 110 and 122. Pin 112, preferably the same as illustrated in Figure 4 of U.S. Patent No. 4,515,153 which is incorporated herein by reference, is then snapped into the aligned holes and secures member 102 to member 72'. In Figure 11, a head immobilizer 200 is illustrated and is similar to the embodiments of Figures 6 and 7 in that it does not utilize the mask 16. A member 202 is releasably attachable to reinforcement member 72' in the same manner, i.e. via device 106, as described above with regard to the embodiment Figures 10 and 12. Buckles 36 are secured, e.g. by rivets 40, to the arms 203 forming lateral ends of member 202. A strap 206, comprising Velcro® fastening members at its terminal, has a "Vel-stretch" member 208 secured, in a convention manner, between its ends. "Vel-stretch" is an elastomeric version of Velcro® and is provided to allow strap 206 to stretch due to swelling of the victim's head. Referring to Figures 13-16, an alternate embodiment 250 of the sleeve attachment device 106 illustrated in Figures 10-12 is shown. Sleeve attachment device 250 allows the extremely quick and easy attachment of and removal of member 252 from the reinforcement member 254. Generally, member 252 and reinforcement member 254 are the same as previously described members (102,202) and reinforcement members (72,72') respectively, except as noted below. Moreover, device 250 can be readily adapted for use with any of the releasable attachment mechanisms discussed hereinabove or with other apparatus requiring a means for extremely quick and easy attachment of and removal of one member from another. Sleeve attachment device 250 is extremely valuable with regard to emergency medical situations. That is in any situation where time and simplicity of operation can mean the difference between life and death, device 250 provides the necessary features as will be apparent from the discussion below. In emergency medical situations, which often arise in a dark or cold or otherwise hostile environment, small components requiring precise alignment are typically not preferred. Member 252 is provided with slots 108 that form a band 109, previously described, but is not provided with hole 110, pin 112, fastener 114 or hole 116. Although the eliminated components perform their intended function well, because of their size and the movements necessary to implement their function, they are not preferred in emergency medical situations. Member 252, which is made of a flexible but semi-rigid material such as plastic, should be provided with finger grip surfaces, such as tabs 256. Although tabs 256 are preferred, they are optional. Additionally the grip surfaces should preferably be rough, or provided with ribs, or knurled, or otherwise adapted to ensure good frictional contact between the fingers and the member. The movement of member 252 will be discussed below. Reinforcement member 254 is provided with a lower stop 258 and an upper boss 260. Stop 258 and boss 260 are parallel to one another, are spaced apart a distance sufficient for the receipt of band 109, and are located proximal the uppermost end of the member 254. Stop 258 preferably has a planar face 262 which is abutted by band 109 and which is preferably oriented to member 254 at a right angle, however, an acute angle could be used. The height of the planar face 262, as measured from member 254 to the outermost or uppermost point on stop 258, should be greater than the thickness of band 109 and of a sufficient height to prevent band 109 from riding or jumping over stop 258. Boss 260 is provided with a first surface 264 and a second surface 266. The height of boss 260, as measured from member 254 to the outermost or uppermost point on boss 260, is preferably equal to the thickness of band 109: however, a lower height would be allowable if it is great enough to ensure against accidental or inadvertent passage of band 109 thereover and a higher height would be allowable if it is not so great as to impede the passage of band 109 thereover. The first surface 264 is slanted; the leading or lowermost edge is located toward the terminal end of member 254 and the trailing or uppermost edge is located away from the terminal end and toward stop 258. The inclination of the slanted surface 264 is sufficient to allow band 109 to move thereacross in a quick, unimpeded and easy manner. The second surface 266 is preferably oriented to member 254 at a right angle, however, an acute angle could be used. The function of the second surface 266 is to prevent the accidental or inadvertent release of member 252. Sleeve attachment device 250 operates as follows: to engage or attach member 252 to member 254, preferably, tabs 256 are moved in the direction indicated by arrows 268 in Figure 16. That movement causes band 109 to move out of alignment with the remainder of member 252 and thereby creates an opening sufficiently large so that member 254 may pass therethrough. When tabs 256 are released, member 252 returns to its "at rest" position, see Figure 15, and band 109 is locked between stop 258 and boss 260 and member 252 is secured on member 254. To disengage or release member 252 from member 254, the engaging operation is reversed. Namely, tabs 256 are moved in direction 268; the opening is formed; and member 254 is released. Referring to Figures 17-19, an alternate embodiment 300 of the front stabilizer half 78 and an alternate embodiment 400 of the connection device 82 are illustrated. Front stabilizer half 300 is the same as previously described but for the addition of a hands/arms securing device 350 and the substitution of the alternate connection device 400. Hands/arms securing device 350 is particularly useful in the emergency medical situations discussed above. Often when an accident victim requires the use of the herein described collar/stabilizer combination because of trauma to the head/spine, their hands/arms 352 dangle from the body and need to be secured during movement of the victim. The hands/arms 352 placement is typically across the victim's chest; device 350 provides a simple, convenient way of securing the hands/arms across the victim's chest. Preferably, device 350 comprises a VELCRO® strap 354 which is affixed to half 300 and of sufficient weight to completely surround and securely hold both wrists of the victim. Strap 354 has a loop portion 356 which is affixed to half 300 via any conventional manner such as a rivet 358 and which forms a major portion of the strap 354 and has a hook portion 360 which is secured to the free or terminal end of strap 354 away from rivet 358 and which is adapted to be secured to loop portion 356. Additionally, a buckle 362 is secured on the strap 354 adjacent the rivet 358 and is adapted engage the free end of the strap before it is secured to itself. See Figure 18. Connection device 400, illustrated in use on the front stabilizer half, but which can be used on the rear stabilizer half as well, is utilized on a collar/stabilizer combination for use in emergency medical situations. As discussed above, small components requiring precise alignment are not preferred in emergency medical situations. The connection device 400 overcomes the special problems of the emergency medical situations by utilizing larger, self-aligning components. Connection device 400 comprises a resilient member 402 which is affixed to the reinforcement member 420 in any conventional manner, such as rivets 404. The resilient number 402 is preferably U-shaped. See Figure 17. At the unaffixed end of member 402, a pin or rivet 406 is permanently secured thereto via a hole 408. The pin 406 may slide within hole 408 but is not removable therefrom. Preferably, two pins 406 are used. See Figure 17. Each pin 406 includes an outer end having a large head 410 with a large ring 412 therethrough and an inner end having a slot 414 therethrough with a beveled flange 416 therearound. The outer end is accessible to emergency medical personnel and the inner end is releasably engagable with a portion of the collar. The outer and inner ends are connected by a shaft 418 that has a sufficient length to span member 402, the reinforcement member 420 and the portion 422 of the collar. See Figure 18. The reinforcement member 420 and collar portion 422 have holes 424 and 426 respectively, that are aligned when the collar portion is completely inserted into the reinforcement member. The hole 408 of member 402 is permanently aligned with hole 424 of reinforcement member 420. In operation, the reinforcement member 420 is slid onto collar portion 422 until the members abut whereby holes 424 and 426 are aligned. Pin 406, in the unlocked position (see Figure 19), is pressed into locking engagement with collar portion 422 and through reinforcement member 420 (see Figure 18). To remove pin 406 from the locked position, ring 412 is gripped and yanked or pulled out from the collar portion and reinforcement member. Referring to Figure 20, an alternate embodiment of the front collar half 500 is illustrated. The half 500 is substantially the same as collar 68 described above. The half 500 is illustrated with the trachea opening but it is optional. The lower portion of reinforcement member 69 is fastened to the collar half 500 preferably by rivets 502. The upper portion of member 69 is held against the collar half 500 by strap 504 (only one shown). Strap 504 is made of any strong material and is looped through slot 506 of member 69. A rivet 508 fastens the strap 504 to the collar half 500. A second strap 510 is also fastened to the collar half 500 via rivet 508. Second strap 510 has a buckle 512 attached thereto. Second strap 510 is pivotable about rivet 508. The buckle 512 is for engagement with a Velcro® strap affixed to the rear collar half. When the straps are passed through the buckles and pulled taut so as to fasten the collar about the victim's neck, the buckle pivots and thereby allows the front half 500 to move into alignment with the victim's chin. In other words, the pivotable buckle performs a dual function; first it allows the front half to be pulled back and into engagement with the victim and second it allows the front half to pivot and aligns with the victim's chin. Referring to Figure 1, a swatch 53 of a Velcro® material is affixed to the portion of mask 54 which overlaps the forehead of the victim. The swatch 53 is for engagement with a strap (not shown) from a spine board (not shown). Spine boards with strap are known and often used in emergency medical situation to move the victim. The straps are secured around the victim to secure the victim to the board. If a Velcro® strap is substituted for a conventional (non-Velcro®) strap and the Velcro® strap is located on the board adjacent the victim's head, then it can be fastened to the swatch 53 and further secure the victim's head to the board.

Claims: A head immobilizer (10, 10', 100, 200) for use with a cervical collar (12, 12') comprising: a rigid head rest (16, 16', 16'', 90, 102, 202, 252) for supporting the rear of a person's head and including connecting means (38) for releasably coupling the head rest to the cervical collar (12, 12') such that the head rest and the back portion of the cervical collar are substantially rigidly secured together; and coupling means (34, 88, 88', 94, 206) operatively associated with the head rest for securing the person's head to the head rest, characterised in that the head immobilizer further comprises a unitary mask (18) adapted to overlie a portion of the head of the person wearing the immobilizer such that the person's head is immobilised between the head rest and mask, the mask having an opening (55) which substantially exposes the face of the person. A head immobilizing apparatus comprising: a cervical collar (12, 12') including a back portion (70, 70') for fitting around a back portion of a person's neck and a rigid head rest (16, 16', 16'', 90, 102, 202, 252) extending upwardly from the back portion of the cervical collar for positioning behind and supporting the rear of a person's head; and coupling means (88, 88', 94, 206) operatively associated with the head rest for securing the person's head to the head rest, characterised in that the head immobilizer further comprises a unitary mask (18) having an opening (55), the mask at least partially overlapping the front (68) of the cervical collar such that together the mask and the collar encircle the face of the person wearing the apparatus and the person's head is immobilized between the head rest, mask and collar. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which the head rest comprises a substantially rigid member (26) having two arms (22, 22' 22'', 22''', 93, 103, 203), each arm having an end distal to the other arm and wherein the coupling means comprises fasteners (34) attached to the distal ends of each of the two arms. An apparatus according to claim 3, in which the coupling means further comprises strap means (88, 88', 94, 206) operably associated with the fasteners (34) for securing the person's head to the head rest. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which the coupling means comprises a means (42, 44, 48) attached to the mask (18) for connecting the mask with the head rest for immobilising the person's head between the head rest and the mask. An apparatus according to claim 5, in which the mask (18) comprises a pair of downwardly extending wings (60) for contacting the person's clavicle. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which each of the wings (60) comprises a reinforcement member (62) affixed thereto. An apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means (44, 48) attached to the mask (18) for connecting the mask with the cervical collar (12, 12'). An apparatus according to claim 2, in which the cervical collar (12, 12') comprises a substantially rigid member (72, 72', 92, 154, 254) extending from the back portion (70, 70') of the cervical collar and wherein the substantially rigid member of the head rest (16, 16', 16'', 90, 102, 202, 252) comprises sleeve means (30, 106, 250) for receiving the substantially rigid member of the cervical collar. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the cervical collar (12, 12') includes a front portion (68, 500) for fitting around a front portion of a person's neck and means for connecting the front and back portions of the cervical collar together and wherein the head immobilizer comprises a mask (18) having an opening (55) therethrough and means (44, 48) for releasably connecting the mask to the cervical collar and the head rest (16, 16', 16'', 90, 102, 202, 252) such that one portion (54) of the mask overlaps the portion of the person's head and another portion (56) of the mask overlaps the front portion of the cervical collar. An apparatus according to claim 2, comprising means (82, 400) for releasably securing the cervical collar (12, 12') to a stabilizer (14). An apparatus according to claim 11, in which the means (82, 400) for releasably securing comprises a pin (406) with a pull member (412) secured to the stabilizer (14) for connecting and releasing the cervical collar (12, 12') and the stabilizer. An apparatus according to claim 12, in which the pull member is a pull ring (412) attached to the pin. An apparatus according to claim 3, 12 or 13, in combination with a stabilizer (14) secured with the cervical collar (12, 12'). An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising strap means (350) affixed to the stabilizer (14) and having sufficient length to encircle two wrists of the person for immobilizing the hands of the person.

Inventors: CALABRESE, ANTHONY, SCUILLI, SANDY
Applicants: CHARLES GREINER AND COMPANY, INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5