Abstract:
A cervical brace for restraining movement of a head and neck vertebra of a patient relative to at least one of a chest and an abdomen of the patient. The brace includes a mount sized and shaped for attachment to at least one of the chest and the abdomen of the patient and a support extending upward from the mount to a position in use adjacent a rearward surface of the head of the patient. The brace includes a loop sized and shaped for receiving the head of the patient cantilevered from the support. The support includes at least one joint for adjusting at least one of a pitch, a yaw and a roll of the loop relative to the mount.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/564,303 filed Apr. 21, 2004, entitled, “Low Profile, Cantilevered Halo Device”, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a cervical brace, and more particularly to a cervical brace having a cantilevered loop.  
         [0003]     Cervical braces immobilize a patient&#39;s head to facilitate healing of a patient&#39;s upper spinal column after a fracture, a dislocation, or a surgery involving the upper spinal column. Generally, cervical braces restrain the head from rolling (such as occurs when a patient tilts her head from side to side), yawing (such as occurs when the patient shakes her head “no”), pitching (such as occurs when the patient nods her head “yes”). Conventional cervical braces immobilize the head by fixing the head to a stiff cast or vest positioned over a patient&#39;s torso. Usually, patients wear braces for three to six consecutive months. Afterwards, the patient may wear a soft collar (e.g., a Philadelphia collar) around the neck until the neck muscles regain strength.  
         [0004]     Conventional cervical braces consist of a plaster body cast and a steel frame rigidly mounted on and extending upward from the cast. Typically, the frame includes four generally vertical rods positioned at 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 clock positions about the patient&#39;s head (measured from a 12:00 clock position at the front of the head) and a horizontal circular ring rigidly mounted on the rods at about forehead level. Pins extend inward from the ring to pierce skin and penetrate an outer layer of the skull to rigidly fix the ring to the patient&#39;s head. Thus, the head is rigidly held in a position relative to the patient&#39;s torso. Such conventional cervical braces allow portable stability and free jaw movement.  
         [0005]     Conventional cervical braces such as described above have evolved little since their initial use. Many braces still include vests. The interiors of these vests are frequently lined with lambskin. Although the lambskin is compressed when the patient puts on the vest, the lambskin permits the vest to move relative to the torso and spine. Thus, even though these conventional devices constrain head movement relative to the vest, they less effectively constrain head movement relative to the torso and spine. Moreover, the frame, and the vertical rods in particular, obstruct the patient&#39;s view and protrude in such a way as to inhibit an ordinary lifestyle. For example, patients cannot wear most off-the-shelf shirts when wearing a conventional cervical brace because the rods interfere with their use. Although attempts have been made to reduce the motion of vests, the resulting cervical braces obstruct the patient&#39;s vision and are not low-profile so they interfere with an ordinary lifestyle. Moreover, prior cervical braces are time consuming and cumbersome to install due to the large number of screws needed at each adjustment point. Because cervical braces need frequent adjustment, the large number of screws further increases adjustment time. Even though conventional braces have a large number of screws, these braces are often particularly difficult to fit to patients with uneven shoulders. Still further, prior cervical braces have a ring or loop that circumscribes the head or a loop having an open portion in the back of the head. In either case, the loop extends in front of the patient&#39;s forehead, thereby further obstructing vision and interfering with an ordinary lifestyle.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Briefly, the present invention includes a cervical brace for restraining movement of a head and neck vertebra of a patient relative to at least one of a chest and an abdomen of the patient. The brace comprises a mount sized and shaped for attachment to at least one of the chest and the abdomen of the patient and a support extending upward from the mount to a position in use adjacent a rearward surface of the head of the patient. In addition, the brace includes a loop sized and shaped for receiving the head of the patient cantilevered from the support. The support includes at least one joint for adjusting at least one of a pitch, a yaw and a roll of the loop relative to the mount.  
         [0007]     In another aspect, the invention includes a cervical brace for restraining movement of a head and neck vertebra of a patient relative to at least one of a chest and an abdomen of the patient. The brace comprises a mount sized and shaped for attachment to at least one of the chest and the abdomen of the patient and a strap extending from the mount for attaching the mount to at least one of the chest and the abdomen of the patient. Further, the brace includes a support extending from the mount to a position in use adjacent a rearward surface of the head of the patient and a loop sized and shaped for receiving the head of the patient cantilevered from the support.  
         [0008]     In yet another aspect, the invention includes a cervical brace for restraining movement of a head and neck vertebra of a patient relative to at least one of a chest and an abdomen of the patient. The brace comprises a mount sized and shaped for attachment to at least one of the chest and the abdomen of the patient and a support extending from the mount to a position in use adjacent a rearward surface of the head of the patient. The brace also includes a U-shaped loop sized and shaped for receiving the head of the patient cantilevered from the support. The loop is open at the front of the head of the patient in use.  
         [0009]     Other features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective of a cervical brace of one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective of the cervical brace;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective of the cervical brace shown without a cover and straps;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective of a central panel of a mount of the cervical brace;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective of a fastening system of the mount;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective of the cervical brace in use; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective of the cervical brace in use.  
     
    
       [0017]     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]     Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of a cervical brace of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral  20 . The brace  20  generally comprises a mount (generally designated by  22 ) for attaching the brace to the chest and the abdomen of the patient, a support (generally designated by  24 ) extending upward from the mount to a position in use adjacent a rearward surface of the head of the patient, and a loop (generally designated by  26 ) sized and shaped for receiving the head of the patient. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the loop  26  is cantilevered from the support  24 .  
         [0019]     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the mount  22  includes a central panel  30  having a generally flat forward face  32  ( FIG. 1 ) and a rearward face  34  opposite the forward face. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the rearward face  34  has a large central groove  36  extending vertically. Although the groove  36  may have other shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the groove  36  has a semi-elliptical cross section. A first pair of grooves  38  extend vertically along the rearward face  34  of the panel  30  so one groove is positioned on each side of the central groove  36 . A second pair of grooves  40  extend vertically along the rearward face  34  of the panel  30  so one groove is positioned outside the first pair of grooves  38 . Although the grooves  38 ,  40  may have other shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment they have semi-circular cross sections. Two slots  42  are formed in the rearward face  34  of the central panel  30  outboard from the second pair of grooves  40  so they extend vertically adjacent an upper end  44  of the panel. The panel  30  has a lower end  46  opposite the upper end  44 .  
         [0020]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mount  22  also includes a waist prop (generally designated by  50 ) comprising a pair of rods  52  corresponding to the first pair of grooves  38  in the panel  30  and a flexible pad  54  mounted across lower ends of the rods. Although the rods  52  may be held in position in the corresponding grooves  38  by other means without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the rods are held in position by strap clamps  56  having fasteners (e.g., cam-type fasteners or screw fasteners, not shown) so the pad  54  is positioned below the lower end  46  of the panel  30 . A conventional webbing clasp  58  is provided on one end of the pad  54  for receiving webbing  60  ( FIG. 1 ) to fasten the brace  20  to the patient as will be explained below. The mount  30  also includes a chest cinch (generally designated by  62 ) comprising flexible wings  64 . A rod  66  is mounted on an inboard end of each wing  64 . Each rod  66  is received in the corresponding groove  40  in the panel  30 . Strap clamps  68  mounted adjacent the grooves  40  hold the rods  66  in place on the panel  30 . A clasp  70  is positioned at an outboard end of each wing  64  for receiving for receiving webbing  72  ( FIG. 1 ) to fasten the brace  20  to the patient as will be explained below. In addition, the mount  30  includes a shoulder cinch (generally designated by  74 ) comprising flexible wings  76 . Openings  78 ,  80  are formed near the inboard end of each wing  76 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the openings  78 ,  80  receive a fastening system, generally designated by  90 , mounted in the slots  42  in the panel  30  to hole the wings  76  in position.  
         [0021]     The fastening system  90  includes a pair of studs  92  having heads  94  on one end. The heads  94  of the studs  92  are received in the slots  42  in the panel  30 . A spacer  96  having holes (not shown) therein is assembled over the wings  76  so the studs  92  extend through the holes. A levered cam  98  is pivotally mounted to each stud  92  on an end opposite the head  94 . When the cam  98  is in an unlocked position (not shown), the stud  92  is extending into the slot  42  of the panel  30  so the wing  76  is free to be positioned anywhere along the slot. When the cam  98  is in a locked position as shown, the stud  92  is retracted so the head  94  engages the slot  42  to hold the wing in position. Because one opening  80  in each wing is arcuate, an angle at which the shoulder cinch  74  extends from the panel  30  may be adjusted while the cam  98  is in the unlocked position.  
         [0022]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a clasp  100  is positioned at an outboard end of each wing  76  for receiving for receiving webbing  102  ( FIG. 1 ) to fasten the brace  20  to the patient as will be explained below. Moreover, the mount  22  includes a breast plate  110  having rings  112 ,  114  for receiving the webbing  72 ,  102 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the forward face  32  of the panel  30  and a rearward face  116  of the breast plate  90  may be padded (e.g., with lambs wool) without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0023]     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the support  24  includes a vertical tube  120  that is received by the central groove  36  in the central panel  30  of the mount  22 . Although the tube  120  may be held in position in the groove  36  by other means without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the tube is held in position along the groove by strap clamps  122  having fasteners (e.g., cam-type fasteners or screw fasteners, not shown). Further, although the tube  120  may have other cross-sectional shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the tube has an oblong, oval or elliptical cross section so the tube resists turning in the groove  36  of the mount  22 . An extender  124  having a ball joint  126 ,  128  at each end is mounted to an upper end of the tube  120 . The loop  26  is mounted on the upper ball joint  128  of the extender  124  so the position and orientation of the loop can be adjusted relative to the support  24 .  
         [0024]     The loop  26  is a typical halo having an open side. In many conventional applications of this type of halo, the open side faces rearward. However, the loop  26  of the preferred embodiment is oriented so the open side faces forward to reduce obstruction of vision and interference with of lifestyle caused by the loop. Although other loops may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the loop  26  is a conventional loop available from PMT Corporation of Chanhassen, Minn. The loop  26  includes threaded holes (not shown) positioned for receiving threaded studs (not shown) for piercing the patient&#39;s skin and engaging the patients skull to rigidly hold the skull.  
         [0025]     The entirety of the cervical brace  20  may be constructed of any combination of sufficiently stiff and strong materials. Preferably, the materials do not impede magnetic resonance imaging. Examples of such materials include fiberglass, nylon, and lambskin for the mount  22 , woven carbon fiber/epoxy composite material, plastics, titanium, and elastomers for the support  24 , and carbon fiber/epoxy composite material for the loop  26 . Titanium is an example of a material that could be used in the various fasteners of the brace  20 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate how the various components may be made using conventional materials.  
         [0026]     To use the brace  20 , the positions of the waist prop  50 , chest the cinches  62  and the shoulder cinches  74  are adjusted by loosening the corresponding strap clamps  56 ,  68  and cams  98  and moving the components to the desired locations relative to the central panel  30  so the mount  22  fits the patient. Once the prop  50  and cinches  62 ,  74  are in the desired locations, the clamps  56 ,  68  and cams  98  are tightened to hold the components in position. The breast plate  110  is positioned over the breast of the patient as shown in  FIG. 6  and the webbing  72 ,  102  is threaded through the corresponding clasps,  70 ,  100 . The webbing  72 ,  102  is tightened to hold the mount  22  in position on the patient. Because the breast plate  110  does not interfere with movement of the patient&#39;s diaphragm, the brace  20  does not move significantly as the patient breaths.  
         [0027]     The height of the support  24  is adjusted by loosening the strap clamps  122  and moving the tube  120  into position. Once properly positioned, the strap clamps  122  are tightened. A cover  130  may be positioned over the strap clamps  56 ,  68 ,  122  to prevent them from being inadvertently loosened and adjusted. Once the tube  120  is in position, the position of the loop  26  may be adjusted by loosening the ball joints  126 ,  128  on the extender  124 , moving the loop into position and tightening the joints. The threaded studs (not shown) may be screwed into the loop  26  and the patient&#39;s head in a conventional manner to hold the patient&#39;s head in position relative to the mount  22  and the patient&#39;s spine. In this way, the patient&#39;s spine is substantially immobilized.  
         [0028]     The cervical brace  20  of the embodiment described above has several advantages over prior designs while providing portable stability and allowing free jaw movement. The brace  20  is held firmly in place and restrained from substantial movement relative to the patient&#39;s chest, abdomen and spine. Thus, the brace  20  of the present invention effectively restrains movement of the patient&#39;s head relative to the chest and/or abdomen. Moreover, the brace  20  does not substantially obstruct the patient&#39;s view during use or protrude in such a way as to unnecessarily inhibit an ordinary lifestyle. As a result, patients can wear most off-the-shelf shirts when wearing the cervical brace  20  of the present invention. Still further, the number of screws needed at each adjustment point have been reduced compared to conventional designs to reduce the time required to install the brace  20  and the difficulty encountered when installing the brace. In addition, the brace  20  of the embodiment described above can fit patients having uneven shoulders.  
         [0029]     When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.  
         [0030]     As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.