Abstract:
A cervical traction device advantageously includes a therapeutic pack that can be separately heated or chilled for use with the device. The most common application is a cold pack insertable in a recessed pocket of the device to provide cold therapy as the device is inflated during cervical decompression. The structure preferably includes a series of bladders that cooperate to define a cavity for accepting the therapeutic pack on an inside surface for thermal exchange with the neck of a user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to cervical traction devices and in particular relates to such devices that are inflatable and adapted to receive a replaceable insert for removing heat from the neck region during the traction thereof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Inflatable traction devices for the neck of a user are available and a number of these traction devices include inflatable bladders that are applied about the neck of a user and are inflated to provide some separation between the cervical joints. These devices have been of assistance to a number of users to provide some expansion of the joints. 
         [0003]    One of the benefits of this system is the convenience thereof allowing a user to use the device at his own convenience and to also vary the time that the device is worn. 
         [0004]    The present invention significantly improves the utility of the cervical traction device by providing a structure where a cold pack can be inserted into the cervical device to additionally provide cooling to the neck region during the use of the cervical traction device. Such cooling reduces swelling and therefore provides a secondary effect in the treatment of any neck injuries. The pneumatic cervical traction device is adapted to accommodate a cooling pack and to modify the pressure applied in the region of the cooling pack due to a shaping of the bladder adjacent the cooling pack. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A cervical traction device according to the present invention includes an inflatable bladder shaped for application about the neck of a user and a pump for inflating and maintaining an inflated state of said bladder. The cervical traction device, on an interior surface, includes a removable therapeutic thermal pack supported in a thermal transfer position with a user&#39;s neck during use of said device. 
         [0006]    According to an aspect of the invention, the traction device includes a releasable fastener for securing the bladder about the neck during inflation of the bladder. 
         [0007]    According to an aspect of the invention, the inflatable bladder is shaped to define a recessed pocket sized to receive the removable therapeutic thermal pack. 
         [0008]    In a further aspect of the invention, the bladder includes 3 distinct interconnected inflatable tubes stacked one above the other with the intermediate tube being of a reduced size to define the recessed pocket on the interior surface of the device. 
         [0009]    According to an aspect of the invention, the device includes a separate fabric member releasably secured to the device in front of the therapeutic thermal pack that allows thermal transfer therethrough. 
         [0010]    In a preferred aspect of the invention, the therapeutic thermal pack is elongate and is centrally disposed intermediate two opposed ends of said bladder. 
         [0011]    In an aspect of the invention, the 3 tubes of the bladder are maintained within a cover having an enclosure for each tube with the enclosure of the intermediate tube being of reduced size to form a recessed pocket in front of the intermediate tube. The enclosure for each of the remaining tubes forms a top and bottom boundary of the recessed pocket. 
         [0012]    In a further aspect of the invention, the enclosures of the remaining tubes include a releasable fastener for securing a separate fabric member positioned in front of the therapeutic thermal pack. 
         [0013]    A cervical traction device, in a preferred aspect of the invention, comprises an inflatable bladder shaped for application about the neck of a user with a securement arrangement for maintaining the bladder about the neck during inflation of the bladder in combination with an arrangement for inflating and maintaining an inflated state of the bladder. The cervical traction device includes, on an interior surface thereof, an elongate recessed pocket sized to receive a removable gel pack and an elongate thermal pack is removably received in the recessed pocket in a position of thermal contact with a user&#39;s neck during traction of the neck by inflation of the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cervical traction device being worn by a user; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing the cervical traction device and the replaceable cooling pack insertable into the device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional device of the cervical traction device without the cold pack insert; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  with the cold pack inserted in the cervical traction device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the cervical traction device showing the top inflatable region in combination with a recessed center inflatable region adapted to receive the cold pack; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  however the cervical traction device is in an inflated state; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective cutaway view showing the cervical traction device in an inflated state with a cold pack inserted therein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows the cervical traction device in an inflated state without the cold pack; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective cutaway view of an alternate embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The cervical traction device  2  preferably includes a series of inflatable regions indicated as  4 ,  6  and  8 . These inflatable regions expand and contract by manipulation of the air pump  20  in combination with the open/close valve  22 . 
         [0025]    The traction device  2  includes front fasteners  12  and  14  for applying the device about the neck of a user essentially in a non-inflated state and the device is then inflated to apply an upward force and extension of the cervical portion of the neck. Air conduit  24  effectively connects to the inflatable bladders  4   a,    6   a  and  8   a,  shown in  FIG. 3 . These inflatable bladders are interconnected by the connecting tubes  44 . Other arrangements including a manifold can be used for inflating the bladders. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 , the inflatable bladder  6   a  is of a smaller size on the interior surface  11  of the cervical traction device  2 . This reduction in size forms a recessed pocket  34  that is sized for receiving the replaceable cold pack  30 . This cold pack can be taken from the freezer and inserted into the recessed pocket  34  and heat is removed from the neck surface of the user adjacent the spinal column. This will reduce swelling in the region and the cervical traction device when inflated causes expansion of the particular joints. 
         [0027]    Although a cold pack  30  is described, other therapeutic packs can be used including a gel heat applying pack or other known therapeutic packs typically for applying or removing heat with or without a moisture component. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the inflatable bladder  6   a  is of a reduced width and as such each of the inflatable bladders  4   a  and  8   a  extend to the position as generally shown by bladder  8   a  in the Figures. When the cervical traction device  2  is inflated as shown in  FIG. 6 , the recessed pocket  34  reduces in size, however there still is substantial space to retain the cold pack  30  that is less compressible. The cold pack is then pressed by the inflated bladder against the user&#39;s neck and is pressed either side of the spine. The user can vary the inflation of the device to achieve a desired extension of the cervical spine in combination with a pressure force pushing the cold pack against the neck of the user. 
         [0029]    Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a removable cover  40  is attached either side of the central inflatable region  6  and this cover separates the outer surface of the cold pack from the skin of the user. The cover is removable to allow for convenient cleaning thereof and to also allow convenient insertion of the cold pack into the recess  34 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the inflatable regions  4 ,  6  and  8  include a sewn cover  50  which includes essentially three sleeves for receiving the inflatable bladders  4   a,    6   a  and  8   a,  in the cervical traction device and the user does not have access to these bladders. The recessed pocket  34  is exterior to the cover  50  that is also shaped to conform with the configuration of the smaller inflatable bladder  6   a.  As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8  the cover  50  is shaped to closely fit the bladder  6  and define the recessed pocket  34 . In  FIG. 8  the bladder  6  is further reduced in size to increase the size of the recessed pocket  34 . 
         [0031]    It has been found that this particular cervical traction device that is able to apply heat or cold to the neck region of the user during the expansion of the neck, is advantageous and beneficial. The provision of adapting the central inflatable bladder to define a recessed region between the upper inflatable bladder and a lower inflatable bladder applies heat or cold to the user at a central region and effectively cools or heats a somewhat larger area. The therapeutic pack located between upper and lower bladders  4   a  and  8   a  is somewhat isolated by the bladders and concentrates the treatment to a desired region. 
         [0032]    As can be appreciated, if the user does not wish to apply heat or cold in a particular session the cold pack can remain in place if it is effectively at room temperature which would be close to the skin temperature of the user. Even if the cold pack is removed the central inflatable bladder  6   a  will partially expand into the recessed area and upwardly to provide the desired traction. Recessing of the therapeutic pack provides the same fit or comfort of the traction device. The pressure exerted by the therapeutic pack on the neck of the user is similar to the pressure exerted by adjacent bladders. 
         [0033]    The recessing in the middle bladder is preferably quite substantial (40 to 60% of the depth of the upper or lower bladders). With this recessed arrangement the recessed bladder and therapeutic pack cooperate to provide traction, temperature therapy and generally consistent pressure (for comfort to the user). Without the recess, the traction device does not sit in the preferred position and the therapeutic pack provides an excessive pressure point or ridge rendering the traction device less effective. 
         [0034]    In a modified embodiment both the intermediate bladder  6   a  and the lower bladder  4   a  are recessed to receive a therapeutic pack. The upper bladder remains without a recess to provide effective engagement of the head to provide traction. The lower bladder  4   a  preferably is not recessed in the area where the bladder engages the shoulders of a user. One or more therapeutic packs can be used and the shape thereof will provide an appropriate fit in the recessed pockets. It is preferable that the lower bladder when inflated engages the neck of the user beneath the therapeutic pack. 
         [0035]    With the present structure a series of bladders and covers cooperate to releasably receive a therapeutic pack on an interior surface for thermal contact with the neck of a user when the bladders are inflated. The preferred structure uses  3  bladders with a center bladder at the interior surface of a reduced depth to define a pocket or cavity for the therapeutic pack. Other arrangements are possible to desirably position and return the therapeutic pack or packs at the desired position will still providing the traction device to operate in its intended manner. 
         [0036]    In the alternate traction  2   a  of  FIG. 9  the inflatable regions  4   a,    6   a  and  8   a  extend forwardly beneath a user&#39;s chin as generally shown. As in the earlier embodiment the inflatable region  6   a  is of reduced size. 
         [0037]    In the embodiment shown, region  6   a  beneath the chin of a user has a gap relative to the inside edges of upper region  8   a  and lower region  4   a.  This additional space exerts less pressure on the wearer&#39;s neck at the adam&#39;s apple region. The reduction in size and offsetting still allows effective traction while being more comfortable to use. 
         [0038]    A further feature of the traction device is the accommodation of the thermal pads  30   a  and the concentration thereof adjacent to the inflatable region  6   a.  This arrangement provides additional thermal mass in the center region of the inflatable regions for cooling or heating of a user&#39;s neck. With this arrangement the desired cooling or heating effect will remain effective for an additional time and be applied to the desired area. The upper and lower regions when inflated assist in limiting the flow of the gel material upwardly or downwardly. 
         [0039]    A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, however it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that further variations are possible that utilize the principles disclosed herein.