Abstract:
This disclosure relates to a cushion and more particularly to a pillow providing cervical alignment by way of a cervical spine support structure that is positioned along a major axis of the pillow, and that can be rotated around the major axis. The pillow utilizes one or more of the following features: 1) a dimensionally correct platform for the proper sleep posture of a majority of body types on a wide array of mattress types; 2) A non-crush zone integrated cervical support roll which can be adjusted for extended durations of supportive comfort. (The roll—in and of itself—is unique compared to the standard of care because of its foam densities and its semi-hollowed out section); and 3) A sleep posture platform with a side sleeping position and a back-sleeping position. The pillow standardizes care by placement of the support roll inside a dimensionally correct platform using different materials.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/325,074, filed on Apr. 20, 2016, and entitled “ADJUSTABLE CUSHION DEVICE”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a cushion and more particularly to a pillow. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Various devices exist that are intended for use in aligning the cervical spine. For example, McKenzie rolls that can be placed under or inside conventional pillows are prescribed to aid in alignment of the cervical spine. However, since physicians often do not know what type of pillow a McKenzie roll will be placed under, or in, dimensions of a prescribed McKenzie roll may be poorly suited to cervical spine alignment of an individual patient. There are multiple pillows in the marketplace that claim to align the cervical spine. But because of the variabilities in end-user physiology, material selections, sleep position preference, mattress firmness, and personal comfort preferences, no one pillow exists that offers true customization to solve the problem of cervical spine alignment for a wide range of consumers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claims. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure relates to a cushion and more particularly to a pillow providing cervical alignment by way of an adjustable cervical spine support structure that is positioned along a major axis of the pillow, and that can be rotated around the major axis. The adjustable cervical spine support can have two or more segments having different material properties or different geometries. When the adjustable cervical spine support is rotated around the major axis, a level of support provided by the pillow changes based upon an alignment of the segments of the adjustable cervical spine support with respect to a surface of the pillow. The pillow can further be configured to have surface portions of differing densities such that greater support is provided for a user&#39;s cervical spine. In addition, the adjustable cervical support gains additional efficacy by being integrated with a specific geometry for the back sleeping position and a specific geometry for a side sleeping position. As such, in embodiments, the pillow is further differentiated from prior cushion devices by having two dimensionally correct platforms in one pillow—a side sleeping platform and a back sleeping platform. 
         [0006]    The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the devices and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the devices and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such devices and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example adjustable pillow. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective, cut-away view of an example adjustable pillow, exposing a multi-density cervical spine support. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view, along the major axis of an example multi-density cervical spine support in a flexed state. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the adjustable pillow. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of an additional embodiment of an adjustable pillow. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an example adjustable cervical spine support. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7A-7C  are views of another example adjustable cervical spine support. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8A-D  are side view diagrams of spinal alignment and misalignment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Various technologies pertaining to an adjustable cushion are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0016]    Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form. Additionally, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean serving as an illustration or example of something, and is not intended to indicate a preference. 
         [0017]    The present disclosure relates to a cushion and more particularly to a pillow providing cervical alignment by way of an adjustable cervical spine support structure that is positioned along a major axis of the pillow, and that can be rotated around the major axis. In an embodiment, the cervical spine support may also be fixed and not adjustable. The pillow disclosed herein is further differentiated by its integration into a dimensionally correct pillow geometry and a platform that is specific to a back sleeper and a side sleeper. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows an example adjustable pillow  100  with an adjustment knob  102  disposed along a major axis  104  of the pillow  100 . The adjustment knob  102  is coupled to an adjustable cervical spine support  106  (not shown). The adjustment knob  102  can be used to adjust a firmness of at least a portion of the pillow  100  in order to aid in alignment of a user&#39;s cervical spine. In exemplary embodiments, the adjustment knob can comprise a soft yet stiff material, such as a foam or rubber material. The adjustment knob  102  can include a protruding center portion that can be grasped by a user in order to twist the knob  102  and thereby adjust the adjustable cervical spine support  106 . The adjustable pillow  100  is designed to account for variabilities in end-user physiology, sleep position preference, mattress firmness, and personal comfort preferences. The pillow  100  is ergonomically shaped, e.g. with rounded ends  108 ,  110 , and edges  112 ,  114 . 
         [0019]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the pillow  100  is ergonomically shaped for accommodating a user&#39;s neck being rested on a lower pillow surface  116 , which is above the adjustable cervical spine support  106 . The pillow  100  is also ergonomically configured to accommodate a user&#39;s skull to rest against an upper pillow surface  118 . In this embodiment, the adjustable cervical spine support  106  and the major axis  104  is located offset from the center of the pillow toward the lower end  108  of the pillow  100  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . For example, the major axis  104  may be within 1.5 to 4 inches of the lower end of the pillow, such as 2 to 3.75 inches, or 2.5 to 3.5 inches. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows details of the adjustable cervical spine support  106  in a cut-away view of the pillow  100 . In this embodiment, the spine support  106  is a multi-density cervical spine support that is rotatable along the major axis  104  to expose three-segments  204 ,  206 ,  208  of material with different densities (e.g., soft  204 , medium  206 , or firm  208 ) in a position configured to be directly under the user&#39;s cervical spine. The three segments  204 ,  206 ,  208  run the entire length or substantially (e.g. 80%-99%, or 85% to 97%) the entire length of the pillow  100  and are coupled to the adjustment knob  102  (See  FIG. 1 ) at one end. A second adjustment knob (not shown) may be present on the opposite side of the pillow  100  and is also coupled to the adjustable cervical spine support  106 . At the center of the adjustable cervical spine support  106 , a universal joint armature  212  runs along the major axis  104  of the adjustable cervical spine support  106  to allow for adjustability while providing flexibility on a variety of mattress densities. In some embodiments, a coupling that allows rotation of the cervical spine support  106  about the major axis  104  connects the universal joint armature  212  to the adjustment knob  102 . The coupling may be attached to the pillow  100  and provides support to the universal joint armature  212  while allowing the cervical spine support  106  to be rotated. For example, the coupling can be rigid and fixed to the pillow  100  such that the coupling does not rotate, while the universal joint armature  212  protrudes through an opening in the coupling. The adjustment knob  102  can be attached to the portion of the universal joint armature  212  that protrudes through the opening in the fixed coupling, thereby allowing the cervical spine support  106  to be rotated by way of the adjustment  102 . 
         [0021]    It is considered that the multi-density segments  204 ,  206 ,  208  are also of varying hardness. For example, a first section differs by at least 10% in hardness from a second segment, and the second segment differs by at least 10% from a third segment. The recited differences in hardness may range from 10% to 1000%, such as 20% to 500%, or 100% to 300%. Hardness or firmness may be measured by Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) (also known as Indentation Force Deflection, or IFD) which is determined by mechanical performance testing. In the ILD test, a material sample measuring 15″ by 15″ by 4″ is used and the force in pounds that it takes a 50 square inch circular indenter to compress the material 1 inch (25 percent of its thickness) is recorded. For example, if the sample requires 36 lbs. of pressure to indent it 1 inch, its ILD is 36. In an embodiment, the ILD of the segments of material  204 ,  206 ,  208 , may range from 8 to 100, for example, 12 to 70, or 20 to 60. 
         [0022]    The material for the three segments and for the rest of the pillow may comprise memory foam, polyurethane foam, rubber, other types of particulate and non-particulate polymeric foam, latex, Talaly latex, natural latex, and synthetic latex, chopped foam, feathers, particulate material such as rubber, latex, Talaly latex, natural latex, and synthetic latex, or plastic beads, or natural filler material such as buckwheat husks. If particulate material or feathers are used, they would be contained in an appropriately shaped bag or other suitable container that does not interfere with the firmness of the material being felt from outside the container. In embodiments disclosed herein the material for the cervical spine support and the segments thereof is more firm than the surrounding pillow material. For example, the cervical spine support may comprise relatively firm non-viscoelastic foam, while the surrounding pillow, or at least the portion of the pillow above the cervical spine support, comprises a softer viscoelastic foam material. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, the adjustable cervical spine support  106  is configured to be in a cylindrical shape and fits within a hollow cylinder compartment in the interior of the pillow  100 . In an embodiment, sufficient clearance for the adjustable cervical spine support  106  to rotate within the cylindrical compartment is provided. This clearance may have a range, for example, 1 micrometer to 1 cm in circumferential difference, such as 10 micrometers to 1 mm, or 100 micrometers to 5 mm. In another embodiment, there may be no clearance so long as the materials allow the adjustable cervical spine support  106  to rotate within the cylindrical compartment. 
         [0024]    In other embodiments, either or both of the cervical spine support  106  or the hollow compartment can have irregularities in shape such that the cervical spine support  106  fits snugly within the hollow compartment when rotated to some positions and rotates freely when rotated to others. For example, the cervical spine support  106  can have protrusions and the hollow compartment can have indentations corresponding to the protrusions. When the cervical spine support  106  is rotated, the protrusions can make contact with the interior of the compartment, causing resistance due to friction, until the protrusions reach the indentations. When the protrusions of the cervical spine support  106  reach the indentations of the compartment as the cervical spine support  106  is rotated, the protrusions no longer make contact with the interior of the compartment. Thus, resistance to rotation of the cervical spine support  106  can be higher in some orientations of the cervical spine support  106  than others. This allows the cervical spine support  106  to rotate easily to one or more desired “settings” while keeping the cervical spine support  106  from rotating to another setting unless intentionally rotated by a user of the pillow  100 . This may also affect the firmness of the pillow. 
         [0025]    Additional embodiments of the adjustable cervical spine support  106  could have a minimum of two different density sections, and a maximum of four different density sections. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of the adjustable cervical spine support  106  in a flexed state to simulate an in-use scenario accounting for the weight of the end-user&#39;s head and cervical spine, along with the give in a mattress. In this embodiment, the universal joint armature  212  consists of three rigid elements  302 , connected by two flexible elements  304 . The rigid material may be hard plastic, metal, or some other rigid material. The flexible elements may, for example, be u-joint couplings or thinner, i.e., narrowed portions of the same material as the rigid material. Additional embodiments of the universal joint armature could include additional flexible and/or rigid elements. The rigid and flexible elements should be configured to allow flexibility away from the major axis  104 , but provide rigidity for rotation about the major axis  104 . In an embodiment, the length of the central rigid element  302  is configured to be approximately the width a user&#39;s cervical spine, e.g., 2 to 5 inches, or 2.5 to 4.5 inches, or 3 to 4 inches. 
         [0027]    The multi-density segments  204 ,  206 ,  208  are attached to the universal joint armature  212  by an adhesive or molding process. They may also be adhered or molded to each other at their respective surfaces running along the major axis  104 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a side view cross-section of an embodiment. This view shows the offset position of the adjustable cervical spine support  106  to create a thin section  402  on a bottom side  404  of the pillow  100 , and a thicker section  406  on the top side  408  of the pillow  100 , to create additional opportunities for comfort. In this embodiment, the major axis  104  is nearer a bottom side  404  of the pillow  100  than a top side  408  of the pillow  100 , such as, for example the major axis  104  may be offset from the midpoint between the top and bottom sides  408 ,  404  of the pillow by 10% to 40% of the total thickness, such as 15% to 25% or 20% to 30%. This allows the user to further customize the pillow feel by putting their head on the top or the bottom side. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a side view cross-section of another embodiment of an adjustable pillow  502  providing cervical alignment by way of a multi-density cervical spine support structure  504  that is positioned along a major axis  506  (extending into the page) of the pillow  502 , and that can be rotated around the major axis  506 . The pillow  502  comprises a lower section  508 , having a lower surface  509 , and an upper section  510 , having an upper surface  511 , wherein the lower section  508  and the upper section  510  are joined at an interface  512 . In an example, the lower section  508  can be placed on a mattress or other surface for sleeping and a head of a user of the pillow  502  can rest on the upper section  510  when the pillow  502  is in use. In other embodiments, the lower section  508  and upper section  510  are integrally made, that is, they are manufactured as a single unit with a cavity for support structure  504 . 
         [0030]    In an example, the lower section  508  and the upper section  510  of the pillow  502  are joined at the interface  512  by a glue or other adhesive material. In an exemplary embodiment, when joined, the lower and upper sections  508 ,  510  can have a total height of between 4.5 and 6.25 inches, for example, 4.75 to 6 inches, 5 to 5.75, or 5 to 5.5 inches. The total height is measured at the tallest height of the pillow  502  with the pillow  502  laying on a flat surface. Generally, all dimensions disclosed herein are measured at the most extreme point of the dimension if not otherwise stated. 
         [0031]    The pillow  502  can include a cavity  514  extending through the pillow  502  along the major axis  506 . The multi-density cervical spine support  504  can be disposed inside the cavity  514  and can be rotated inside the cavity  514  by way of a knob (not pictured) attached to an end of the multi-density cervical spine support  504 . The multi-density cervical spine support  504  comprises a plurality of segments  516 ,  518 ,  520  each having a different density. The multi-density segments  516 ,  518 ,  520  can also be of varying hardness. For example, a first segment differs by at least 10% in hardness from a second segment, and the second segment differs by at least 10% from a third segment. The recited differences in hardness may range from 10% to 1000%, such as 20% to 500%, 100% to 300%. In an embodiment, the ILD of the segments of material  516 ,  518 ,  520 , may range from 8 to 100, for example, 12 to 70, or 20 to 60. 
         [0032]    The segments  516 ,  518 ,  520  can be joined at their respective interfaces such that the multi-density cervical spine support  504  has a cylindrical shape. For example, the segment  516  can be joined to the segment  518  at an interface  522 , the segment  518  can be joined to the segment  520  at an interface  524 , and the segment  520  can be joined to the segment  516  at an interface  526 . The segments  516 ,  518 ,  520  can be joined at the interfaces  522 ,  524 ,  526  by suitable adhesives capable of durably adhering the segments  516 ,  518 ,  520 . These adhesives may be the same or different based on the chemical properties of the material being joined. 
         [0033]    The exemplary pillow  502  further comprises a head well portion  528  that makes up at least a part of the upper section  510 . In some embodiments, the head well portion  528  can make up at least a part of each of the upper section  510  and the lower section  508 . The head well  528  comprises supporting surfaces  530  separated by a plurality of grooves  532 . The supporting surfaces  530  can comprise a material having a density and/or a hardness that differs from a density or hardness of either or both of the lower and upper sections  508 - 510  of the pillow  502 . The grooves  532  may function to allow airflow through the head well  528 , and other parts of the pillow  502 , which can keep a user of the pillow  502  cool. The lower section  508  of the pillow  502  can also have grooves  534  along the lower surface  509  of the pillow  502  in order to promote airflow over the lower surface  509 . In exemplary embodiments, the head well  528  can have a height between an upper surface  536  of the support portion  528  and a lower surface  538  of the head well  528  of 0.8 to 2.7 inches, 1 to 2.5 inches, 1.25 to 2.25 inches, or 1.4 to 2 inches. The upper surface  511  of the pillow  502  includes the upper surface  536  of the head well portion  528 . 
         [0034]    The head well portion  528  is configured for a user&#39;s head and neck to rest in the supine position, with the back of the head resting against the upper surface  536  of the head well portion  528  with the neck resting over the multi-density cervical spine support  504 . In another use, a user can rest the head and neck on the upper portion  510  of the pillow  502 , with the neck, resting over the multi-density cervical spine support  504  and the side of the head resting against the upper surface  511  of the pillow  502 . In still another use, a user can turn the pillow  502  over, and the lower surface  509  of the pillow  502  is configured for a user&#39;s head and neck to rest in the side-lying position with the neck resting over the multi-density cervical spine support  504 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable cervical spine support structure  600  is illustrated. The adjustable cervical spine support  600  comprises a first portion  602  and a second portion  604 . The first portion comprises a first material having a first density. The second portion  604  comprises a second material having a second density. The first portion  602  and the second portion  604  are joined such that a hollow cylindrical interior region  606  is formed that extends along a major axis  608  running through the adjustable cervical spine support  600 . An end cap  610  (or knob) is connected to the terminal end of the adjustable cervical spine support structure  600 . The opposite end of the adjustable cervical spine support  600  may also be connected to an end cap (not shown). The interface of the first  602  and second portion  604  and the end cap  610  may be joined together as disclosed in the prior embodiments. In an embodiment, the adjustable cervical spine support  600  is included in the adjustable pillow disclosed above instead of the adjustable cervical spine support  106  of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , or the multi-density cervical spine support  504  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-7C , still another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable cervical spine support structure  700  is illustrated. Referring to  FIG. 7A , a perspective view of the adjustable cervical spine support  700  is shown. The adjustable cervical spine support  700  comprises a first portion  702  and a second portion  704  joined to form a substantially cylindrical shape. As in other embodiments described herein, the first portion  702  can comprise a first material having a first density, and the second portion  704  can comprise a second material having a second density. In an embodiment, the ILD of the first and second portions  702 ,  704  may range from 8 to 100, for example, 12 to 70, or 20 to 60. In an exemplary embodiment, the second portion  704  can comprise a softer material than the first portion  702 . For example, the first portion  702  can comprise a first type of foam having an ILD of 45 and the second portion  704  can comprise a second type of foam having an ILD of 17. An end cap  706  (or knob) is connected to the terminal end of the adjustable cervical spine support  700 . The opposite end of the adjustable cervical spine support  700  is also be connected to an end cap  708 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 7B , a view facing one of the terminal ends of the adjustable cervical spine support  700  is shown, wherein the end cap  706  or  708  is removed. The second portion  704  of the adjustable cervical spine support  700  has a cut-out  710  running along a major axis  712  of the adjustable cervical spine support  700 . Thus, when the first portion  702  and the second portion  704  are joined, a compartment with a half cylinder hollow opening is formed that runs along the length of the adjustable cervical spine support  700  parallel to the major axis  712 . The cut-out  710  may also be of different geometries and produce different hollow openings when the first and second portions  702 ,  704  are joined. The cut-out  710  aids in adjustability of a pillow that incorporates the adjustable cervical spine support  700 . The firmness of the adjustable cervical spine support  700  depends upon both the densities of the materials comprising the first and second portions  702  and  704 , and an orientation of the cut-out  710  with respect to a force applied to the adjustable cervical spine support  700  (e.g., caused by the weight of a user&#39;s head resting on a pillow incorporating the adjustable cervical spine support  700 ). In some embodiments, the first portion  702  and the second portion  704  comprise the same material having the same density, and the variation in firmness of the adjustable cervical spine support  700  depends entirely upon the orientation of the cut-out  710  with respect to the force applied to the adjustable cervical spine support  700 . Referring to  FIG. 7C , a side view of the adjustable cervical spine support  700  is illustrated. 
         [0038]    The teachings recited herein are not limited to just pillows, but could also be employed in other types of cushions or cushion-containing furniture, such as chairs, seats used in transportation, mattresses, and hospital furniture. 
         [0039]    In an embodiment, the adjustable cervical spine support  106  may be used outside the pillow  100 , by itself, for example, as an aid for exercise or for massage. In an embodiment, the multi-density segments  204 ,  206 ,  208  may be separated in a plane perpendicular to the major axis  104 , in particular, the separation may correspond to the area where flexible joints of the universal joint armature  212  are. In addition, in an embodiment, the multi-density segments  204 ,  206 ,  208  may be rotatable rather than fixed in relation to the universal joint armature  212 , that is, the segments  204 ,  206 ,  208  may be joined to each other and rotate as a whole around the universal joint armature  212 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8D , diagrams showing exemplary alignments and misalignments of a spine of a human subject are illustrated.  FIG. 8A  shows an alignment of a person&#39;s spine  800  in a side-lying position wherein a continuous spline is formed by cervical  802 , thoracic  804 , and lumbar  806  sections of the spine  800 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates a misalignment of the cervical section  802  of the spine  800  wherein a continuous spline running through the thoracic section  804  and the lumbar section  806  is misaligned with the cervical section  802 .  FIG. 8C  illustrates a misalignment of head  808  and neck  810  sections of the spine  800  of the subject in a supine position in both flexion and hyperextension.  FIG. 8D  illustrates alignment of the head  808  and neck  810  sections of the spine  800  in the supine position, wherein the sections  808 - 810  are shown aligned with parallel horizontal planes. These exemplary alignment and misalignment guidelines were used to determine the various measurements in Tables 1 and 2, below. 
       EXAMPLES 
       [0041]    Provided below in Tables 1 and 2 are exemplary data relating to effects of various pillow design parameters on alignment of subjects&#39; cervical spines in connection with using a pillow constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The data include, for each test subject, a shoulder width, hip width, and a difference between the shoulder width and the hip width (labeled “Physiological Differential”). The data also include, for each subject, a height of the highest point of the subject&#39;s head when lying on a test bed frame with the subject&#39;s spine in alignment (labeled “Alignment Height”). This “alignment height” was determined in accordance with  FIG. 8A  by a neck and spine specialist from visual assessments of the test subjects. Then a height of the highest point of the subject&#39;s head was determined when lying on the test bed frame with the subject&#39;s head resting on a first prototype pillow having a total height of approximately 6 inches and a head well depth of approximately 1 inch (labeled “Prototype 1”). All data in Tables 1 and 2 are in units of inches unless otherwise noted. 
         [0042]    The data further include a difference in height of the subject&#39;s head between the alignment height and the height for each of a variety of prototype pillows. In the side-lying position (Table 1) the subjects rested their head and neck on the lower surface  535 , (i.e, the head-well portion was facing the mattress) of a pillow constructed similarly to pillow  502 . The data show the difference in height when the subject&#39;s head is resting on the first pillow prototype having a height of 6 inches (labeled “Alignment Height Differential”), the difference in height when the subject&#39;s head is resting on a second pillow prototype having height of 5.5 inches (labeled “Differential (Prototype 2)”), and the difference in height when the subject&#39;s head is resting on a third pillow prototype having height of 5.25 inches (labeled “Differential (Prototype 3)”). Thus, the smaller the absolute value of the number for the “Differential” data points the closer the subject was to being in correct alignment. 
         [0043]    In the supine position (Table 2), the subjects rested their head and neck on the upper section  510  and head well  528  of a pillow constructed similarly to pillow  502 . The data include the difference in height when the subject&#39;s head is resting on the first pillow prototype having height of 6 inches and head well depth of 1 inch (labeled “Alignment Height Differential”), the difference in height when the subject&#39;s head is resting on a fourth pillow prototype having height of 5.5 inches and head well depth of 2 inches (labelled “Differential (Prototype 4)”), and the difference in height when the subject&#39;s head is resting on a fifth pillow prototype having height of 5.25 inches and head well depth of 2 inches (labeled “Differential (Prototype 5)”). 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Side-lying position: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Alignment 
                 Differential 
                 Differential 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Shoulder 
                 Hip 
                 Physiological 
                 Alignment 
                   
                 Height 
                 (Prototype 
                 (Prototype 
               
               
                   
                 Gender 
                 Width 
                 Width 
                 Differential 
                 Height 
                 Prototype 1 
                 Differential 
                 2) 
                 3) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 GP 
                 M 
                 17.75 
                 14 
                 3.75 
                 28.75 
                 28.75 
                 0 
                 −0.5 
                 −0.75 
               
               
                 MT 
                 M 
                 17.75 
                 14.5 
                 3.25 
                 29 
                 28.875 
                 −0.125 
                 −0.625 
                 −0.875 
               
               
                 AD 
                 M 
                 18 
                 13.75 
                 4.25 
                 28 
                 28.75 
                 0.75 
                 0.25 
                 0 
               
               
                 RP 
                 M 
                 20.5 
                 14.25 
                 6.25 
                 28.125 
                 28.5 
                 0.375 
                 −0.125 
                 −0.375 
               
               
                 TS 
                 F 
                 15.5 
                 13.5 
                 2 
                 27 
                 29 
                 2 
                 1.5 
                 1.25 
               
               
                 SH 
                 M 
                 16.5 
                 13 
                 3.5 
                 28.25 
                 28.875 
                 0.625 
                 0.125 
                 −0.125 
               
               
                 JC 
                 M 
                 17 
                 13.5 
                 3.5 
                 27.25 
                 28.875 
                 1.625 
                 1.125 
                 0.875 
               
               
                 BP 
                 F 
                 15.875 
                 14.5 
                 1.375 
                 27.875 
                 29.125 
                 1.25 
                 0.75 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 KM 
                 F 
                 19 
                 18 
                 1 
                 27.625 
                 28.625 
                 1 
                 0.5 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 GALA 
                 F 
                 17.125 
                 17.125 
                 0 
                 27.75 
                 29 
                 1.25 
                 0.75 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 BJ 
                 F 
                 18.75 
                 16 
                 2.75 
                 28.25 
                 29.25 
                 1 
                 0.5 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 VM 
                 F 
                 16.75 
                 13.75 
                 3 
                 27.75 
                 28.75 
                 1 
                 0.5 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 KH 
                 F 
                 18.75 
                 16.25 
                 2.5 
                 28.375 
                 28.625 
                 0.25 
                 −0.25 
                 −0.5 
               
               
                 LH 
                 F 
                 14.375 
                 13.75 
                 0.625 
                 28.125 
                 29 
                 0.875 
                 0.375 
                 0.125 
               
               
                 MM 
                 F 
                 18.75 
                 15 
                 3.75 
                 29.5 
                 29.75 
                 0.25 
                 −0.25 
                 −0.5 
               
               
                 SMS 
                 F 
                 16.25 
                 14.75 
                 1.5 
                 28 
                 29.5 
                 1.5 
                 1 
                 0.75 
               
               
                 SLS 
                 F 
                 16 
                 12.5 
                 3.5 
                 28.5 
                 29.125 
                 0.625 
                 0.125 
                 −0.125 
               
               
                 KS 
                 F 
                 17.75 
                 15 
                 2.75 
                 27.875 
                 28.875 
                 1 
                 0.5 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 MA 
                 F 
                 16 
                 12.5 
                 2.5 
                 27.75 
                 28.875 
                 1.125 
                 0.625 
                 0.375 
               
               
                 JS 
                 M 
                 19.25 
                 13.125 
                 6.125 
                 28.125 
                 29 
                 0.875 
                 0.375 
                 0.125 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]                                                                                                        TABLE 2                   Supine position:                                        Alignment   Differential   Differential               Shoulder   Hip   Physiological   Alignment       Height   (Prototype   (Prototype           Gender   Width   Width   Differential   Height   Prototype 1   Differential   4)   5)                        GP   M   17.75   14   3.75   27.875   30   2.125   0.625   0.375       MT   M   17.75   14.5   3.25   27.875   29.625   1.75   0.25   0       AD   M   18   13.75   4.25   27.375   29   1.625   0.125   −0.125       RP   M   20.5   14.25   6.25       TS   F   15.5   13.5   2       SH   M   16.5   13   3.5       JC   M   17   13.5   3.5       BP   F   15.875   14.5   1.375   28   29.875   1.875   0.375   0.125       KM   F   19   18   1   28.25   30   1.75   0.25   0       GALA   F   17.125   17.125   0   27.25   29.875   2.625   1.125   0.875       BJ   F   18.75   16   2.75   27.75   29.375   1.625   0.125   −0.125       VM   F   16.75   13.75   3   27.75   29.625   1.875   0.375   0.125       KH   F   18.75   16.25   2.5   27.875   29.5   1.625   0.125   −0.125       LH   F   14.375   13.75   0.625   28.25   30.125   1.875   0.375   0.125       MM   F   18.75   15   3.75   28   29.625   1.625   0.125   −0.125       SMS   F   16.25   14.75   1.5   27.875   29.875   2   0.5   0.25       SLS   F   16   12.5   3.5   27.5   29.625   2.125   0.625   0.375       KS   F   17.75   15   2.75   28.125   30   1.875   0.375   0.125       MA   F   16   13.5   2.5   28   29.5   1.5   0   −0.25       JS   M   19.25   3.125   16.125   27.875   29.875   2   0.5   0.25                    
Through the study it was determined that the greatest number of subjects were closest to alignment when using prototype pillows 3 and 5.
 
         [0044]    What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable modification and alteration of the above devices or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further modifications and permutations of various aspects are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the details description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.