Abstract:
A cervical spine traction collar is disclosed. The cervical spine collar comprises at least two cervical spine embracing elements, which are relatively displaceable with respect to each other in either up or down direction; a displacement device for relatively displacement of the cervical spine embracing elements in the up or down direction; a fastening device for securing the cervical spine embracing elements in a position in which they embrace a user&#39;s neck; and a padding provided on said cervical spine embracing elements for soft contact between the spine embracing elements and a patient body.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a new and useful cervical spine traction collar (CSTC). More particularly, the present invention relates to a CSTC for providing at least one of stabilization to an injured area in the cervical spine, reduction of acute or chronic neuralgia, and treatment for Acute Traumatic conditions at an accident site. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the health care field today, cervical collars in general are used to limit Range of Motion of the cervical spine following traumatic conditions such as Spastic Torticollis, dislocations, post traumatic vertebral fractures (e.g., Lamina, Pedicals, collapsed body, etc.), degenerative changes interfering with neurological activity and conduction, resulting from disc degeneration, causing a reduction in the intervertebral space. The majority of cervical collars offer limited help to the above-mentioned conditions since they mainly reduce range of motion to the cervical musculosketal complex without capability to make any correction or to address pure traction within the cervical spine. 
         [0003]    Some traditional collars are made with inflatable bladders that, when inflated, are designed to lift the head off of the patient&#39;s shoulders. The weight of the head could possibly be heavier than the load that the air bladders could handle. Moreover, in the event that only one side of the neck is injured and requires more tractions than the other side of the neck, such a cervical collar cannot provide unilateral correction. Accordingly, there is a need for a cervical spine traction collar for treating the above-mentioned conditions while providing the capability to address pure traction within the cervical spine and to make unilateral corrections. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below, a non-limiting object of the present invention is to provide a cervical spine collar that comprises at least two cervical spine embracing elements, which are relatively displaceable with respect to each other in either up or down direction; a displacement means for relatively displacement of the cervical spine embracing elements in the up or down direction; a fastening means for securing the cervical spine embracing elements in a position in which they embrace a user&#39;s neck; a padding means can be provided on said cervical spine embracing elements for soft contact between the spine embracing elements and a patient body. These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is an orthogonal view illustrating a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a Cervical Spine Traction Collar (CSTC) according to the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  is a front elevational view illustrating the CSTC of  FIG. 1  with its internal element in a retracted position; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  is a front elevational view illustrating the CSTC of  FIG. 1  with its internal element in a protracted position; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3A  is a rear elevational view illustrating the CSTC of  FIG. 1  with its internal element in a retracted position and with its fastening straps fastened; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3B  is a rear elevational view illustrating the CSTC of  FIG. 1  with its internal element in a protracted position and with its fastening straps fastened; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an elevational illustrating the CSTC of  FIG. 1  in a completely open and fully protracted position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a partially exploded view illustrating the upper portion of the CSTC of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a partially exploded view illustrating the lower portion of the CSTC of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is front elevational view with an enlarged view illustrating the retaining knob and rack of the CSTC of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a front and side elevational view illustrating another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a Cervical Spine Traction Collar (CSTC) according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view illustrating the CSTC of  FIG. 1  secured around a patient&#39;s neck with its internal element in a retracted position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a front elevational view illustrating the CSTC of  FIG. 1  secured around a patient&#39;s neck with its internal element in a protracted position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevational view illustrating the CSTC of  FIG. 1  secured around a patient&#39;s neck with its internal element in a protracted position and with its fastening straps fastened; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view illustrating the CSTC of  FIG. 1  secured around a patient&#39;s neck with one side of its internal element in a protracted position to provide unilateral correction. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to non-limiting embodiments of the present invention by way of reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, components, and structures. 
         [0020]    The Cervical Spine Traction Collar (CSTC)  1  of the present invention is a new design that addresses a wide range of neck problems/injuries. It incorporates functionality developed based on a detailed biomechanical understanding of the cervical spine musculoskeletal complex. Unlike traditional cervical collars, the CSTC  1  of the present invention provides a telescopic action built into the collar that provides the desired traction necessary regardless of the patient&#39;s physical location (e.g., the field, work, car, etc.). In the event of an acute trauma to the cervical musculoskeletal complex, use of the CSTC  1  of the present invention helps to reduce and restore the subdural space, thus allowing a continuous flow of cerebral spinal fluid with the subdural space. This reduces the odds of edema build-up in the menengies and along the spinal cord. 
         [0021]    Turning to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a CSTC  1  according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The CSTC includes an internal element  4 , an external element  6 , lower padding  2 , upper padding  18 , a plurality of adjustment knobs  8 , and a plurality of fastening straps  12  and  14 . The internal element  4  is configured to be slidably disposed within the external element  6  in a telescoping manner. The lower padding  2  is disposed on a lower portion of the internal element  4  and the upper padding  18  is disposed on an upper portion of the external element  6  to provide support and comfort for a user. The adjustment knobs  8  provide functionality for adjusting the position of the internal element  4  within the external element  6  to adjust the overall height “H” of the CSTC  1 , which will apply varying degrees of cervical traction to a user&#39;s spine based on that height “H”. At least one pair of fastening straps  12  is disposed on opposing ends of the internal element  4  at about half the distance between the top and bottom edges. And, at least one pair of fastening straps  14  is disposed on opposing ends of the external element  6  to fasten the CSTC  1  at about one third the distance from the bottom edge to the top edge of the internal element  4 . Fastening the fastening straps  12  and  14  secures the internal and the external element of the CSTC  1  in a position, in which they embrace a user&#39;s neck. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates the CSTC  1  in the “open” position. When in the open position, both the internal element  4  and the external element  6  substantially take the form of a “C” shape such that there is provided an opening in which a user&#39;s neck can be inserted.  FIGS. 2A-3B  illustrate the CSTC  1  in the “closed” position—the position the CSTC  1  would be in when the straps are fastened to secure the CSTC around a user&#39;s neck. Both the internal element  4  and the external element  6  can be made of a durable, yet flexible, material so they may be wrapped around a user&#39;s neck and conform to the neck&#39;s cross-sectional shape when the CSTC  1  is placed around the user&#39;s neck. As  FIGS. 2B and 3B  illustrate, hook and loop portions (e.g., VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners) of the fastening straps  12  and  14  when they are brought together to secure the CSTC  1  around the user&#39;s neck. When the hook and loop portions of the fastening straps  12  and  14  are brought together, the internal element  4  and the external element  6  substantially take the form of an “O” shape such that the user&#39;s neck is enclosed within the CSTC  1 . 
         [0023]    In the closed position, the adjustment knobs  8  are disposed on diametrically opposed sides of the CSTC  1  from each other. By turning the adjustment knobs  8 , a user can adjust the height “H” of each respective side of the CSTC  1 .  FIGS. 2A and 3A  illustrate the CSTC  1  with both sides of the internal element  4  retracted fully within the external element  6  to produce a minimum value of “H” (i.e., minimal traction). In the fully retracted position, only the lower padding  2  on the internal element  4  is visible. The internal element  4  and external element are  6  are configured so that the fastening straps  12  on the internal element  4  will not interfere with the slidable engagement of the internal element  4  and the external element  6 . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 2B and 3B  illustrate the CSTC  1  with both sides of the internal element  4  protracted fully from the external element  6  to produce a maximum value of “H” (i.e., maximum traction). The dimensions of the internal element  4  and the external element  6  can be altered as required to provide different maximum heights “H” and, therefore, different maximum values of traction. Those dimensions can also be adjusted to suit the various neck sizes of different users. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 4-6  illustrate the CSTC  1  in a completely open and fully protracted position such that an entire side of the CSTC  1  is visible. In that position, the CSTC  1  is substantially straight in lieu of being in the shape of a “C” or an “O” as described above.  FIG. 4  illustrates a fully assembled CSTC  1 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the upper half  20  of the CSTC  1 , which includes the external element  6 , the upper padding  18 , and the adjustment knobs  8 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the lower half  22  of the CSTC  1 , which includes the internal element  4 , the lower padding  2 , and the racks  16 . 
         [0026]    As  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate, the upper padding  18  is of sufficient length to cover the entire upper edge of the external element  6  and the lower padding  2  is of sufficient length to cover the entire lower edge of the internal element  4 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the outward facing portion of the external element  6  with the adjustment knobs  8  extending outward therefrom, and  FIG. 6  illustrates the inward facing portion of the internal element  4  with racks  16  disposed therein. Each of the racks  16  may be disposed in the internal element  4  at approximately one quarter of the length of the internal element  4  from each corresponding distal end of the internal element. 
         [0027]    As  FIG. 7  illustrates, the adjustment knobs  8  are disposed at a location on the external element  6  that corresponds with the location of the racks  16  of the internal element  4  so that the alignment knobs  8  can engage the racks  16  when the internal element  4  is slidably disposed in the external element  6 . Each adjustment knob  8  includes a substantially cylindrical shaft  10  that extends through the external element  6 . The distal end of the shaft  10  includes a plurality of teeth  17  that extend laterally outward from the shaft  10 . Teeth  24  are provided on the rack  16  and teeth  17  of the shaft  10  are configured to mesh with corresponding teeth  24  of each rack  16  in a rack-and-pinion configuration. The shaft  10  is received in the rack  16  so that the teeth  17  of the shaft  10  engage the teeth  24  of the rack  16 . When the teeth  17  on the shaft  10  of the adjustment knob  8  are meshed with the teeth  24  in each rack  16 , the adjustment knobs  8  can be rotated to move the external element  6  up and down the racks  16  relative to the internal element  4 . 
         [0028]    Accordingly, the knobs  8  adjust the height of the collar  1  by slidable displacement the external element  6  with respect to the internal element  4 . The internal and external elements  4 ,  6  are elongated and each have a longitudinal axis. The elements  4 ,  6  are configured such that when the internal element is in fully retracted position their longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to one another. The knobs  8  and rack  16  cooperate to move the elements  4 ,  6  in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axes, thereby adjusting the height of the collar  1 . In addition, the collar  1  can be positioned at any desirable height, and is not limited to only predefined heights. 
         [0029]    The adjustment knobs  8  may also include locking functionality so that the shaft  10  of the adjustment knob  8  will not turn after the internal element  4  is protracted or retracted to the desired position. The locking functionality can for example include a cog such that when the knob  8  is pulled, it disengages a cog, which allows the user to turn the knob to extend or retract the collar. A button  9  can be provided on each adjustment knob  8  such that when it is depressed the adjustment knob  8  is locked into position and this prevents the shaft  10  from being rotated. Other locking arrangements can be provided as well. For instance, the knob  8  can be pulled out to position the collar  1 , and then pushed in to lock the collar  1  at one of the  7  incremental steps provided by the teeth  17 ,  24   
         [0030]    Such locking functionality allows a user to maintain the position of the internal element  4  with respect to the external element  6  for prolonged periods without continued adjustment to maintain traction. Accordingly, the adjustment knob  8  provides functionality for a user to incrementally retract and protract the CSTC  1  and to lock in the amount of traction once the amount of protraction is properly adjusted. A larger number of teeth  17  and  24  can be provided on each adjustment knob  8  and rack  16 , respectively, to allow more fine incremental adjustments with the adjustment knobs  8 . 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment of the CSTC  1 , the external element 6 h as a length of approximately 51-54 cm and a width of approximately 8 cm; the internal element  4  has a length of approximately 49-52 cm and a width of approximately 5 cm; the lower padding  2  and upper padding  18  are each formed from soft/medium foam and have lengths substantially the same as the internal element  4  and external element  6 , respectively, and a width of approximately 1.5-2 cm. Also in a preferred embodiment of the CSTC  1 , the materials used to make the various elements of the CSTC  1  are technologically advanced and environmentally friendly. For example, natural rubber (NBR), polyurethane (EPU), or even silicone materials may be used for the internal and external elements  4 ,  6  and the lower and upper padding  2 ,  18 . Those materials are light in weight and firm for necessary support and flexibility, which provides added comfort to the CSTC  1  and makes the CSTC  1  more user-friendly. Moreover, those materials may be “breathable,” which prevents the patient from over-heating while wearing the CSTC  1 . 
         [0032]    In  FIGS. 1-7 , the outer surface of the internal element  4  is shown as having a smaller diameter than the outer surface of the external element  6 , such that the internal element  4  is recessed with respect to the external element  6 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , however, the elements  4 ,  6  can have the same outer diameter by providing padding on the internal element  4  so that the outer surfaces of the internal element  4  and the external element  6  are flush with each other. As further shown in  FIG. 8 , the upper pad  18  can be tapered so that it is higher in the rear and lower in the front, to better conform to the user&#39;s head and neck, and make better traction with the user&#39;s spine. 
         [0033]    In use, the CSTC  1  is placed around the user&#39;s neck and fastened by the two fastening straps  12  and  14  when the internal element  4  is fully retracted within the external element  6 . One fastening strap  12  is attached to the internal element  4  and the other fastening strap  14  is attached to the external element  6 . The adjustment knobs  8  of the external element  6  are gradually turned to protract the internal element  4  from behind the external element  6 . That action creates the cervical spine traction, using the telescopic effect by virtue of the rack-and-pinion arrangement described with respect to  FIG. 7 . That arrangement provides is unique to the CSTC  1  of the present invention. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 9-11  illustrate the CSTC  1  of the present invention being utilized to provide various forms of traction.  FIG. 9  illustrates the internal element  4  in a retracted position so as to only apply little to no traction to a person in pain.  FIG. 10  illustrates the internal element  4  in a protracted position to create a desired amount of traction effect to reduce nerve conduction interference. And,  FIG. 11  illustrates the fastening straps  12  and  14  fastened on the rear of the CSTC  1  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0035]    Another unique feature of the CSTC  1  of the present invention is its ability to protract internal element  4  unilaterally (i.e., one side instead of both sides of the neck) for situations where one side of the neck may require more traction than the other side.  FIG. 12  illustrates the internal element  4  protracted in a unilateral protracted position, allowing more traction to be applied to one side of the user&#39;s neck than the other if needed. That unilateral protraction functionality allows CSTC  1  to be used to address cervical spine musculoskeletal complex injuries that require such treatment. 
         [0036]    The CSTC  1  of the present invention is a superior and unique cervical spine traction collar unlike any other in the health-care industry today. The materials used to make the CSTC  1  are light-weight and firm enough to reliably secure a user&#39;s neck while in traction. Those materials are also flexible and eco-friendly. The rack-and-pinion configuration allows the patient to gradually increase or decrease the degree of traction without causing undo stress to the cervical spine. The two C-shaped elements create a true traction to the cervical spine. 
         [0037]    In addition, use of the CSTC  1  of the present invention is not limited to the health care industry. It can also be used in emergency situations by air or ground medi-vac services. Moreover, it is user friendly, which means that once the medical provider administers the CSTC  1  to his/her patient, the patient can use it easily at home or at work. 
         [0038]    In the preferred embodiment, two sets of knobs  8  and respective racks  16  are provided on substantially opposite sides of the collar  1 . Preferably, one set on the front and one set on the back, or the sets on the sides. Two sets of knobs  8  and respective racks  16  provide sufficient stability and adjustability to the collar  1 . However, more or fewer than two sets of knobs  8  and racks  16  can be provided, within the spirit of the invention. 
         [0039]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-18 , the external element  6  is on top and the internal element  4  is on the bottom. It should be appreciated, however, that the collar can also be worn in the inverted position, namely with the internal element  4  on top and the external element  6  on the bottom. 
         [0040]    The foregoing description and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.