ADJUSTABLE CERVICAL COLLAR

Abstract: A cervical collar composed essentially of an anterior section (1) and a posterior section (2) interconnected by an elongated strap (3), with the rear surfaces of the sections covered by cushioning material (4,5), the parts preferably being formed from high density polyethylene sheeting with polyethylene foam cushioning material, the parts being interconnected by plastic fasteners (6). Preferably, the sections (1,2) will be adjustable relative to each other, with one of the sections slidably mounted relative to the other. The configuration of the sections is designed to provide optimum support to achieve immobilization of the cervical spine.

Description: This invention relates to cervical collars, and has to do more particularly with an adjustable cervical collar particularly suited for use in pre-hospital care applications. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous types of cervical collars have hitherto been proposed for treating neck injuries which result in muscular strain or nerve pressure in the cervical area. Extrication collars have become extremely important in field rescue operations to immobilize and maintain the cervical spine in a neutral position until a suspected injury can be diagnosed and treated. One such collar is the subject of US-A-4 520 801. The cervical collar has front and rear halves for resting on the shoulders and extending around the neck to support the chin and rear of the patient's head. The front half, through an angle, is split into upper and lower sections hinged relative to each other. The upper section has a U-shaped portion conforming to the shape of the patient's chin and extending along opposite sides of the lower jaw. A U-shaped bridge member on the upper section extends downwardly below the lower jaw and across the front of the neck region. The lower section extends around the lower front portion of the patient's neck and overlies the collarbone region and the central portion of the upper chest region. Fasteners extend through guide slots in the bridge member to provide means for guiding angular travel between the upper and lower sections. The fasteners can be loosened to permit angular travel and tightened to hold the upper and lower sections in a preset angular position to conform to different neck sizes. The bridge member bridges the space between the chin-supporting upper section and the lower section to add rigidity to the chin-supporting portion of the collar. Flexible straps with Velcro fasteners on the rear half are attached to cooperating Velcro fasteners on the front half to hold the collar in place around the patient's neck. While surgical collars are presently available which are intended for field rescue use, such devices have left much to be desired with regard to their ease of application as well as their ability to meet other criteria which have been found desirable in a device intended for field use. The present invention overcomes these difficulties by providing a cervical collar specifically designed for rescue uses which not only provides the structural relationships necessary to achieve immobilization of the cervical spine but also provides a structure which may be readily adjusted to accommodate persons of different sizes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the invention provides an adjustable cervical collar comprising an anterior section, a posterior section, one elongate strap extending between and interconnecting the said sections, the said sections being substantially rigid, attachment means connecting the strap to one of the said sections, and fastener means connecting the opposite end of the strap to the other of the said sections, whereby to adjust the position of the said sections relative to each other and to the anatomy of the wearer, characterized in that the elongate strap slidably interconnects the said sections, the said sections and the strap are relatively stiff yet flexible, e.g. high density polyethylene, and therefore capable of being conformed to the contours of the wearer's anatomy, the attachment means slidably connect the strap to the said one of the sections with one end of the strap projecting freely outwardly beyond that section, stop means are provided on the strap to prevent its detachment from that section to which it is slidably connected, and securement means are provided on the free end of the strap for securing the collar round the wearer's neck. Preferably, the collar is of one-piece design, being composed of a series of interconnected high density polyethylene parts covered in all critical anatomy contacting areas with polyethylene foam, the parts being joined together by plastic rivets. A Velcro fastening system may be provided to facilitate rapid application of the collar, as well as provide for easy removal. An all plastic construction makes the collar easy to clean, and also makes it compatible with MRI, CT, and X-ray machines, as well as providing a collar which is useable over a wide temperature range. In addition to its utility in the field, the collar of the present invention provides a thin side profile which allows it to be easily slipped behind the wearer's neck and also permits the collars to be readily stored in an emergency vehicle either in flat condition or folded to fit into a small storage compartment. Being adjustable to accommodate a number of sizes eliminates the necessity for carrying an assortment of collars of different sizes and hence further reduces the storage space requirements in the rescue vehicle. A collar constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture in that it comprises a series of die-cut parts which are readily assembled utilizing plastic rivets and hence there are minimum tooling requirements. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an adjustable cervical collar in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a rear elevational view thereof. Figure 3 is a rear elevational view similar to Figure 2 but with the foam padding removed to illustrate the underlying construction of the parts. Figure 4 is a front elevational view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the collar in an adjusted position of use. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, a cervical collar in accordance with the invention comprises an anterior section, indicated generally at 1, a posterior section, indicated generally at 2, the two sections being interconnected by an elongated strap 3. All three of these parts are preferably formed from sheets of 1.59mm (1/16") high density polyethylene which is relatively stiff yet flexible. As best seen in Figure 2, the sections 1 and 2 are covered on their rear surfaces with areas of cushioning material 4 and 5, respectively, the cushioning material being attached to the sections by means of plastic rivets 6. Preferably the cushioning material will be formed from pieces of 4.76-6.35mm (3/16"-1/4") close-celled polyethylene foam which is die-cut to conform to the configuration of the sections 1 and 2, including the throat exposing cut-out 7 in the anterior section and the ventilation cut-outs 8 in the posterior section. The anterior section 1 is also provided with a chin receiving cut-out 9 which also defines an opposing pair of mandible supports 10, 10a designed to control flexion, extension and rotation of the lower jaw. Since the lower jaw will rest on the chin receiving cut-out 9, the cushioning material 4 is provided with an integral seat 11 adapted to fold outwardly over the lower edge of the cut-out 9 to provide padding along the edge of the cut-out 9 which contacts the wearer's lower jaw. The lowermost edge of the anterior section 1 is of outwardly curved configuration, indicated at 12, which provides for bracing between the underside of the mandible and the sternum. Preferably, the lowermost edge of the cushioning material 4 is extended downwardly beyond the curved edge 12, as indicated at 13, again for the purpose of providing padding along an edge of the collar which contacts the wearer's body. The posterior section 2 of the collar is configured to provide an integral opposing pair of extensions 14, 14a which coact to provide right and left lateral support for the occipital support 15 extending along the upper edge of the posterior section 2 between the extension 14, 14a. Preferably, the cushioning material 5 will extend upwardly beyond the occipital support 15 and the extensions 14, 14a in the areas where the uppermost portions of the posterior section contact the wearer's head, such extended areas being indicated at 16. The lowermost edge of the posterior section 2 is also of outwardly curved configuration, indicated at 17, to provide posterior thoracic spine support which, together with the occipital support, act to control extension. The cushioning 5 also extends downwardly beyond the curved edge 17, as indicated at 18, to provide padding where the posterior section of the collar contacts the wearer's body. It also will be noted that the outermost ends of the curved lowermost edge 12 of the anterior section 1 terminates at its opposite ends in reversely curved areas 19, 19a which find counterparts 20, 20a at the outermost ends of the curved lowermost edge 17 of posterior section 2. The areas 19, 20 and 19a, 20a coact to provide right and left trapezius support which act to control lateral flexion. As previously indicated, the anterior and posterior sections of the collar are adjustably interconnected by means of the elongated strap 3 which, as best seen in Figure 3, extends through a slot 21 in the anterior section 1, the strap having an opposing pair of ears 22 and 23 projecting laterally from the strap 3, the ears each having an opening 24 therein adapted to receive one of the plastic rivets 6 to thereby fixedly secure the strap 3 to the anterior section 1. The strap 3 also has an extension 25 of a size to lie between the chin receiving cut-out 9 and the underlying throat exposing cut-out 7, the strap terminating at its end in oppositely directed enlargements 26, 27 having openings 28 adapted to receive corresponding plastic rivets 6. The ears 22, 23, the extension 25, and the enlargements 26, 27 thus serve to reinforce and strengthen the anterior section 1 and serve as a means to securely fasten the strap 3 to the anterior section 1. The opposite end of the strap 3 extends through pairs of spaced apart slots 29, 29a and 30,30a formed in the opposite sides of posterior section 2, the pairs of slots defining webs 31 and 31a therebetween which act to slidably mount the posterior section 2 relative to the strap 3. On its rear surface the posterior section 2 mounts a pair of vertically extending braces 32 and 32a which serve to reinforce the posterior section in the areas of the extensions 14,14a and the webs 31 and 31a, the strap 3 slidably passing between the braces and the rear surface of the posterior section. As is the case of the ears 22,23 and the enlargements 26,27, the braces are provided with rivet receiving openings 24a and 28a which are adapted to receive the correspondingly positioned plastic rivets 6 which interconnect the parts. Preferably the braces 32 and 32a will be formed from the same material as the sections and strap. Adjacent its distal end the strap 3 is provided with a pair of plastic rivets 6a which serve as stops to establish the fully extended position of the posterior section 2 relative to the anterior section 1, the rivets 6a additionally serving to anchor an attachment tongue 33 the inner end of which extends through a slot 34 immediately adjacent the distal end of strap 3, the tongue 33 preferably comprising a strip of flexible material having a Velcro (registered trade mark) "eye" 35 (seen in Figure 2) on its rear surface, the tongue being engageable with an adhesively backed Velcro (registered trade mark) "hook" 36 adhesively secured to the outer surface of anterior section 1, as seen in Figure 1. In applying the collar to an injured person and depending upon the person's size, the anterior and posterior sections are adjusted relative to each other by sliding the posterior section 2 along the strap 3 relative to the anterior section 1. To this end, printed indicia in the form of a series of dots or similar calibrations are provided on the outer surface of the strap 3 at equally spaced part intervals, such as 3.18mm (1/8"), by means of which rescue personnel may be guided in adjusting the distance between the anterior and posterior sections of the collar in accordance with the size of the wearer. To this end, the web 31 may be of a predetermined width, such as 25.4mm (1"), to further identify for rescue personnel the relative positions of the anterior and posterior sections as they encircle the wearer's neck, the sections of the collar being moveable from the fully extended position illustrated in Figure 1 to the fully contracted position illustrated in Figure 4, which may be on the order of 76.2mm (3") between the fully retracted and fully extended positions. With this arrangement, the collar may be readily fitted to persons of different sizes with the assurance that all of the desired contact points will be properly positioned and utilized to immobilize the spine with control over extension, flexion, including lateral flexion, and also rotation. Modifications of detail may be made in the invention without departing from its scope.

Claims: An adjustable cervical collar comprising an anterior section (1), a posterior section (2), one elongate strap (3) extending between and interconnecting the said sections (1,2), the said sections (1,2) being substantially rigid, attachment means (29,29a,30,30a,31,31a) connecting the strap (3) to one of the said sections (2), and fastener means (24,28) connecting the opposite end of the strap (3) to the other of the said sections (1), whereby to adjust the position of the said sections (1,2) relative to each other and to the anatomy of the wearer, characterized in that the elongate strap slidably interconnects the said sections, the said sections (1,2) and the strap (3) are relatively stiff yet flexible, e.g. high density polyethylene, and therefore capable of being conformed to the contours of the wearer's anatomy, the attachment means slidably connect the strap (3) to the said one of the sections (2) with one end (33) of the strap (3) projecting freely outwardly beyond that section (2), stop means (6a) are provided on the strap (3) to prevent its detachment from that section (2) to which it is slidably connected, and securement means (35,36) are provided on the free end (33) of the strap (3) for securing the collar around the wearer's neck. A cervical collar as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means slidably connecting said strap (3) to one of said sections (2) comprises pairs of spaced apart slots (29,29a,30,30a) in said last named section defining webs (31,31a) in said section (2) beneath which said strap (3) extends, and stop means (6a) on said strap (3) positioned to engage one of said webs (31a) to establish the fully extended position of said last named section relative to said strap (3). A cervical collar as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the rear surface of each section is covered with a cushioning material (4,5), and wherein said attachment means (6) also serve to secure said cushioning material (4,5) to said surface. A cervical collar as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said anterior section (1) is configured to provide a centrally disposed chin receiving opening (9) extending downward from its upper edge, and wherein said cushioning material (4) includes an integral seat (11) in the area of said chin receiving opening (9) adapted to be folded outwardly over the lowermost edge of said opening (9). A cervical collar as claimed in Claim 4 including an opposing pair of mandible supports (10,10a) extending inwardly from the opposite sides of said chin receiving opening (9). A cervical collar as claimed in Claim 3, 4, or 5 wherein the lowermost edge of said anterior section (1) is of outwardly curved configuration (12), and wherein said cushioning material (4) projects downwardly beyond said lowermost edge (12). A cervical collar as claimed in any of Claims 3-6 wherein said posterior section (2) is configured to provide a centrally disposed occipital support (15) on its uppermost edge, said occipital support terminating at its opposite ends in a pair of upwardly projecting extensions (14), and wherein said cushioning material (5) extends upwardly beyond said occipital support and said extensions. A cervical collar as claimed in any one of Claims 3-7 wherein the lowermost edge (17) of said posterior section (2) is of outwardly curved configuration, and wherein said cushioning material (5) extends downwardly beyond said lowermost edge (17). A cervical collar as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein said strap (3) is secured to the other of said sections (1) by means of a slot (21) in that section through which said strap (3) passes, and a pair of laterally projecting ears (22,23) on said strap (3) lying immediately beyond said slot (21). A cervical collar as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the other of said sections comprises the anterior section (1) and has a centrally disposed chin receiving cut-out (9) extending downwardly from its upper edge, wherein said strap (3) includes an extension (25), the upper edge of which coincides with the lowermost edge of said cut-out (9), and wherein said extension (25) terminates in upper and lower enlargements (26,27) lying beyond said cut-out, said strap (3) being secured to said anterior section by means of fasteners (24,28) connecting said ears (22,23) and said enlargements (26,27) to said anterior section. A cervical collar as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said strap (3) is slidably connected to said posterior section (2) and wherein said posterior section (2) has a spaced apart pair of braces (32,32a) secured to its rear surface in the areas of said webs (31,31a), said strap (3) extending between said braces (32,32a) and the rear surface of said posterior section.

Inventors: BRAULT, RICHARD A., CROTEAU, DIANNE B., SCHMID, STEPHEN K., VINDEN, JONATHAN P.
Applicants: FERNO-WASHINGTON, INC.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5