Patent Publication Number: US-7707668-B2

Title: Support pillow for relieving pressure on muscles, tendons, and blood vessels and method therefor

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of the following provisional patent application, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full in this specification for all purposes: U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/030,793, entitled “A SUPPORT PILLOW FOR RELIEVING PRESSURE ON MUSCLES, TENDONS AND BLOOD VESSELS AND METHOD THEREFOR,” filed on Feb. 22, 2008. This application is related to a design patent application illustrating a pillow, and having Ser. No. 29/310,057, filed Jul. 24, 2008. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to a pillow, and more specifically, to a pillow that is designed to eliminate the pressure on the muscles, tendons, and blood vessels on the side of the neck when a person is sleeping on his/her side. 
   BACKGROUND 
   A pillow is a bag or case made of cloth that is filled with feathers, down, other soft material, or a solid piece or pieces of resilient material such as latex foam or memory foam. The pillow is designed to cushion the head when one is sleeping or resting. Conventional pillows include ordinary rectangular pillows, and pillows having a raised ridge, roll, hump, or tubular padding along the front edge which is intended to support the neck. 
   Conventional rectangular pillows have been in use for many years. However, this type of pillow provides little support for the spine and shoulders of the user. 
   With regard to conventional pillows with a raised portion, these types of pillows are intended to support the neck of the user. These types of pillows are a more recent innovation and can be effective when the sleeper is in a back-reclined or supine position. However, such pillows can put undue pressure on the blood vessels, muscles, and tendons of the neck when a user is sleeping on his/her side. 
   Within what is termed the carotid triangle (an area of the neck defined by muscles which includes the carotid artery and the jugular vein) gentle pressure can be applied to the external carotid artery to determine the presence of a pulse. The pulsations of the heart are easily felt within the carotid triangle because the external carotid is essentially only covered by skin and superficial fascia. Accordingly, the external carotid is easily felt (palpated) and is highly vulnerable to external pressure and injury. It has been said the amount of pressure needed to close the blood vessels of the neck can be as little as 4 pounds. The head of an adult weighs approximately 10 to 12 pounds. 
   Recent studies have shown the pressure on the blood vessels of the neck from a tight necktie is linked to increased glaucoma risk by increasing intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye). It has also been suggested that pressure on these blood vessels may cause or contribute to plaque deposits in the blood vessels of the neck, and also to Alzheimer&#39;s disease. 
   Additionally, pressure on the carotid sinus (an area within the carotid artery near the branch point) may result in a severe and prolonged period of unconsciousness. This syndrome is called carotid sinus syndrome or carotid sinus syncope (fainting). Syncope may result from stimulation of the carotid sinus pressure sensors by turning the head to one side, by a tight collar, or even by shaving over the region of the sinus in the neck. When the carotid sinus senses pressure, either blood pressure or external pressure, it may send a signal to slow the heart rate or decrease the blood pressure without slowing the heart rate. Pressure on the carotid structure may thus affect the heart rhythms and result in reflex cardiac arrest. 
   In a sleeping person, a period of unconsciousness would most likely go unnoticed, but the muscles located on the side of the neck are also quite tender. When sleeping on one&#39;s side, conventional pillows may exert various amounts of pressure on those muscles, tendons, and the blood vessels located alongside. The weight of the head and neck on some conventional pillows can be noticeably uncomfortable and may be injurious to one&#39;s health as well. 
   Therefore, a need exists to provide a device and method to overcome the above problem. 
   A further understanding of the nature and the advantages of particular embodiments disclosed herein may be realized by reference of the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. 
   SUMMARY 
   Embodiments of the present invention provide a pillow and method for relieving pressure on a neck of a user. In one embodiment, the pillow includes a body section, a first lobe member integrally bound to the body section and adaptable for supporting a nape of a neck of a user, and a second lobe member integrally bound to the body section and adaptable for supporting a cheek bone and a jaw of the user. The pillow also includes a channel formed in the body section between the first lobe member and the second lobe member, wherein the channel is adaptable for receiving the neck of the user to relieve pressure on the neck of the user. 
   These provisions, together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the following description proceeds, are attained by the methods and assemblies of embodiments of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows an elevated perspective view of a pillow in accordance with one embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  shows a top view of the pillow of  FIG. 1  with the head of a user resting on the pillow. 
       FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows and along the plane of line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the pillow. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the pillow. 
       FIG. 6  is a vertical sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows and along the plane of line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of another embodiment of the pillow. 
       FIG. 8  is a vertical sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows and along the plane of line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a vertical sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows and along the plane of line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 7 . 
   

   Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
   In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a pillow  100  according to one embodiment. As described in more detail below, the pillow  100  is designed to eliminate the pressure on the muscles, tendons, and blood vessels on the side of the neck  104  when a user is sleeping on his/her side as opposed to sleeping on his/her back or stomach. The pillow  100  uses a channel  102  to receive the sleeper&#39;s neck  104  and to prevent pressure on the blood vessels, tendons, and muscles on the side of the neck  104  of the user. 
   The pillow  100  has a main body unit  106  which includes a bottom  120 . In particular embodiments, the main body unit  106  is of a somewhat greater thickness than generally found in conventional pillows. This serves to reduce body weight on the shoulder  112  that is in contact with the sleeping surface, thereby allowing the relaxation of the muscles of the neck  104  and shoulder  112  as is explained below. 
   The main body unit  106  may come in different shapes and sizes. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the main body unit  106  has a rectangular shape. However, this is just shown as one example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. The main body unit  106  may be formed of a cushion material. Feathers, down, fiberfill, or other soft material may be used. A resilient foam, memory foam or a latex foam may also be used and may include a single piece or several pieces or layers combined to achieve the desired shape. 
   The pillow may be constructed to contain air, water, gel or any other material. The listing of the above materials is given as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. If the filling material is comprised of loose material or if multiple pieces of material are used, the main body unit  106  may have a cover which prevents the material of the main body unit  106  from becoming loose, and further prevents the material of the main body unit from getting dirty. Alternatively, if the pillow  100  is manufactured from a solid piece of foam or cohesive material, a cover is not necessary but may be included to prevent the material from getting dirty. The main body unit  106  may also be sculptured, have raised or lowered areas or have a textured surface such as an “egg crate” texture. The pillow  100  may be constructed with elastic material within the pillow  100  or along a seam or seams as a full or partial covering. Additionally, baffles or compartments may be added. 
   In one embodiment, a channel  102  is formed in the main body unit  106 . In one embodiment, the channel  102  is formed in a central area of the main body unit  106  and extends in a downward direction. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the channel  102  runs in a downward and outward direction. For example, in one embodiment, the channel  102  slopes such that the upper end of the channel  102  is closer to the center of mass of the main body unit  106  (and further from the ends of the lobes  108 ) relative to the lower end of the channel  102 . As such, the slope of the channel  102  generally follows the contour of the user&#39;s neck  104  when placed inside the channel  102 , thereby eliminating or minimizing any pressure that the pillow may exert on the neck  104 . In general, a substantial amount of the material in the channel  102  may be removed. This allows the channel  102  to serve as a pressure-free area in which the blood vessels, muscles and tendons of the sleeper&#39;s neck  104  are not compressed by any material while sleeping. Alternatively, the channel  102  may be formed in a sloping manner. In this embodiment, the channel  102  slopes in a downward direction so that the portion of the channel  102  at the bottom section of the main body unit  106  is lower than in the central area of the main body unit  106 . Material toward the bottom section of the main body unit  106  may also be removed. This would allow the shoulder  112  of the sleeper to engage the channel  102  while the main body unit  106  gently supports the head  110  of the sleeper. This alleviates pressure on the sleeper&#39;s neck  104  so that the blood vessels, muscles, and tendons of the sleeper&#39;s neck are not restricted. 
   The shape of the channel  102  may vary depending on the material used to make the pillow  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, an upper termination end  160  of the channel  102  may be narrower than a lower termination end  150 . As such, the channel  102  may have a conical shape, where the wider end (i.e., the lower termination end  150 ) may receive a shoulder  112  of the user may be placed partially into the opening of the channel  102 . In other embodiments the channel  102  may be rounded on the top portion or it may be square, pointed, elliptical, etc. The shape of the channel  102  does not detract from the purpose of the pillow  100  which is to alleviate pressure on the blood vessels, tendons, and muscles on the side of the neck  104  when sleeping. 
   The channel  102  forms two lobes  108  in the main body unit  106  that extend downward from the main body unit  106 . The lobes  108  are separate but located directly adjacent to each other and connect to the main body unit  106  in the central area of the main body unit  106 . The two lobes  108  have respective lobe ends  128 - 128 . In particular embodiments, the lobes  108  generally have approximately the same thickness as the main body unit  106  continuously to the ends of the lobes  108 . If constructed from down, fiberfill or similar loose, soft material the lobes  108  may have a tubular shape. Alternatively, the lobes  108  may be tapered, flattened, enlarged, expanded, etc. toward the ends of the lobes  108 . The lobes  108  may also be completely separate from each other with no connecting material between them. 
   In one embodiment, the channel  102  terminates at the upper termination end  160 , and at the lower termination end  150 , and the channel has a mid-end  154 . In one embodiment, the upper termination end  160  may be defined as the upper end of the channel  102 , and the lower termination end  150  may be defined as the lower end of the channel  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper termination end  160  is within the main body unit  106 , and the lower termination end  150  is at a portion of the lower edge of the main body unit  106 . A distance X may be defined as the distance between the upper termination end  160  of the channel  102  and a plane along side  124  of the main body unit  106 . A distance Y may be defined as the distance between mid-end  154  and the plane across the lobe ends  128 - 128 . Distances X and Y may be any suitable distances. In one embodiment, distance X is greater than distance Y. In one embodiment, the distance between mid-end  154  and plane  124  is greater than the distance X. In other words, distance between the lower termination end  150  and the plane  124  is greater than distance between the upper termination end  160  and the plane  124 . This differential causes channel  102  to slope downward away from the center of mass of the main body unit  106  and toward the ends of the lobes  108 , which enables the channel  102  to generally follow the contour of the user&#39;s neck  104  when placed inside the channel  102 , thereby eliminating or minimizing any pressure that the pillow may exert on the neck  104 . 
   The inside facets of the lobes  108  may have several different appearances. The inside facets of the lobes  108  may be curved or sculptured, etc. or they may be straight horizontally or vertically to the ends, and may be of various lengths. The ends of the lobes  108  may be round, pointed, flat, tapered, bulbous, etc.; the shape of which would not detract from the purpose of the pillow  100 , which is to alleviate pressure on the blood vessels, tendons, and muscles on the side of the neck  104  when sleeping. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one portion of the lower termination end  150  may be offset from a plane across the first lobe end and the second lobe end. In one embodiment, the lower termination end is offset inwardly toward the main body unit  106 . 
   In operation, a user may lie on one side of his/her body as opposed to sleeping on his/her back or stomach. When lying on the side of the body, the user places the neck  104  into the channel  102  and places the head  110  on the main body unit  106  of the pillow  100 . Depending on the size of the user and the pillow  100 , the shoulder  112  of the user may be placed in or slightly below the opening in the channel  102  located at the bottom section of the main body unit  106 . In this position, the nape of the neck  104  and neck vertebrae are then supported by the lobe  108  at the rear of the head  110 , while the cheek bone and jaw are supported by the lobe  108  at the front of the head  110 . The skull is supported by the main body unit  106  of the pillow  100 , thereby giving superior support to the head  110  and spine without any pressure on the blood vessels, tendons, and muscles on the side of the neck  104 . 
   The pillow  100  is also very comfortable when sleeping on one&#39;s back in a supine position. The neck vertebrae would then engage the channel  102  and the lobes  108  on either side would give support to the neck  104  and shoulders  112  of the sleeper. When sleeping on one&#39;s stomach, the pillow  100  can also be utilized to reduce compression on the blood vessels, tendons and muscles on the side of the neck  104  by placing the neck  104  in the channel  102  while the head  110  and face are supported by the lobes  108  on either side. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5-9 , there is seen another embodiment of the pillow, generally illustrated as  200 . In one embodiment, lobes  210  and  220  are separate and spaced from each other, but terminating in the body  235  of the pillow, which may include at least one score  232 . In one embodiment, lobes  210  and  220  are in contact with each other but are capable of being pulled away from each other by the user during use of the pillow. Opening or slit  230  is formed between the lobes  210  and  220 . As previously suggested, the pillow may possess any suitable stuffing, such as down, fiberfill, feathers, or the like. For the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5-9 , pillow  200  is constructed of fiberfill. 
   Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for relieving pressure on a neck of the user through the use of a pillow. As indicated, the pillow comprises a body section. A channel is formed in the body section, and extends from a central area of the body section to a bottom section of the body section. The channel is used to accommodate the neck of the user to relieve pressure placed on the side of the neck. The channel more specifically extends in a downward and outward direction. A lobe member is formed on each side of the channel. A first lobe member supports the nape of the neck and a second lobe member supports the cheek bone and jaw. Each lobe member extends downward from the body section. The lobe members are respectively located directly adjacent to each other, and are connected to the body section in the center area of the body section. 
   Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all its embodiments. Therefore, the respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Additionally, any arrows in the drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear. 
   As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
   The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Therefore, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to the particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of the embodiments of the invention will be employed without the corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in the following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.