U.S. patent application number 10/186156 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-14 for multi-positional support device.
Invention is credited to Walpin, Lionel A..
Application Number | 20020169401 10/186156 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24257507 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020169401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walpin, Lionel A. |
November 14, 2002 |
Multi-positional support device
Abstract
A multi-positional support device, one use being to provide the
head, neck, and cervical spine of a patient with rest, support, and
kinesthetic input in various degrees of head and neck rotation,
without causing discomfort to the patient or tilting the patient's
head. An embodiment of the present invention comprises an elongate
member, a first end, a second end, and a body extending between
said first and second ends, said elongate member further comprising
a first contoured surface, said first contoured surface comprising
a plurality of first surface recesses. Each of said first and
second ends may have a depth that is larger than the depth of said
body of said elongate member.
Inventors: |
Walpin, Lionel A.;
(Inglewood, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LYON & LYON LLP
633 WEST FIFTH STREET
SUITE 4700
LOS ANGELES
CA
90071
US
|
Family ID: |
24257507 |
Appl. No.: |
10/186156 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10186156 |
Jun 27, 2002 |
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09565175 |
May 3, 2000 |
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6458090 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
602/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/055 20130101;
Y10S 128/23 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/18 |
International
Class: |
A61F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A support, comprising: an elongate member, said elongate member
further comprising: a first end; a second end; a body extending
between said first end and said second end, said body having a
depth; and a first contoured surface, said first contoured surface
comprising a plurality of first surface recesses; wherein each of
said first end and said second end has a depth that is larger than
said depth of said body of said elongate member.
2. The support of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second
ends has an enlarged portion that is substantially triangular.
3. The support of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second
ends has an enlarged portion that is substantially rectangular.
4. The support of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second
ends has an enlarged portion that is substantially trapezoidal.
5. The support of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second
ends has an enlarged portion that has an irregular shape.
6. The support of claim 1, further comprising a second contoured
surface, said second contoured surface comprising a plurality of
second surface recesses.
7. The support of claim 6, wherein said first surface recesses are
located at positions offset from said second surface recesses.
8. The support of claim 1, further comprising a fastener, a first
portion of said fastener secured to said first end, and a second
portion of said fastener secured to said second end.
9. The support of claim 8, wherein said first portion of said
fastener is detachably secured to said first end, and said second
portion of said fastener is detachably secured to said second
end.
10. The support of claim 8, wherein said fastener comprises a
Velcro closure.
11. The support of claim 8, wherein said fastener comprises a
snap-button closure.
12. The support of claim 1, further comprising a fastener, a first
portion of said fastener secured to a frontal surface of said
elongate member in close proximity to said first end, and a second
portion of said fastener secured to said frontal surface of said
elongate member in close proximity to said second end.
13. The support of claim 12, wherein said first portion of said
fastener is detachably secured to said frontal surface of said
elongate member in close proximity to said first end, and said
second portion of said fastener is detachably secured to said
frontal surface of said elongate member in close proximity to said
second end.
14. The support of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises
a flexible polyurethane foam.
15. The support of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises
a plastic.
16. The support of claim 1, wherein said elongate member further
comprises an inner core to provide support.
17. The support of claim 16, wherein said inner core comprises a
bladder containing a media.
18. The support of claim 17, wherein said media is a liquid.
19. The support of claim 17, wherein said media is a gas.
20. The support of claim 18, wherein said liquid is water.
21. The support of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises
a plurality of materials.
22. The support of claim 21, wherein said first contoured surface
comprises visco-elastic foam.
23. The support of claim 1, further comprising a cover for said
elongate member.
24. The support of claim 23, wherein said cover comprises
fabric.
25. The support of claim 24, further comprising a fastener, a first
portion of said fastener secured to said cover in close proximity
to said first end, and a second portion of said fastener secured to
said cover in close proximity to said second end.
26. The support of claim 25, wherein said first portion of said
fastener is detachably secured to said cover in close proximity to
said first end, and said second portion of said fastener is
detachably secured to said cover in close proximity to said second
end.
27. The support of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second
ends of said elongate member is customizable in shape.
28. A support, comprising: an elongate base, said elongate base
comprising a top surface, a first end, and a second end; and a chin
support having a first end, a second end, and a body extending
between said first end and said second end, said body having a
depth, said chin support further comprising one or more chin
receptacles, said chin support slidably coupled to said elongate
base such that said chin support can slide back and forth along
said top surface; wherein each of said first end and said second
end of said chin support has a depth that is larger than said depth
of said body of said chin support.
29. The support of claim 28, wherein each of said first and second
ends of said chin support has an enlarged portion that is
substantially triangular.
30. The support of claim 28, wherein each of said first and second
ends of said chin support has an enlarged portion that is
substantially rectangular.
31. The support of claim 28, wherein each of said first and second
ends of said chin support has an enlarged portion that is
substantially trapezoidal.
32. The support of claim 28, wherein each of said first and second
ends of said chin support has an enlarged portion that has an
irregular shape.
33. The support of claim 28, further comprising a fastener, a first
portion of said fastener secured to said first end and a second
portion of said fastener secured to said second end.
34. The support of claim 33, wherein said first portion of said
fastener is detachably secured to said first end, and said second
portion of said fastener is detachably secured to said second
end.
35. The support of claim 33, wherein said fastener comprises a
Velcro closure.
36. The support of claim 33, wherein said fastener comprises a
snap-button closure.
37. The support of claim 28, further comprising a fastener, a first
portion of said fastener secured to a frontal surface of said
elongate base in close proximity to said first end, and a second
portion of said fastener secured to said frontal surface of said
elongate base in close proximity to said second end.
38. The support of claim 37, wherein said first portion of said
fastener is detachably secured to said frontal surface of said
elongate base in close proximity to said first end, and said second
portion of said fastener is detachably secured to said frontal
surface of said elongate base in close proximity to said second
end.
39. The support of claim 28, said chin support further comprising
visco-elastic foam.
40. The support of claim 28, said elongate base further comprising
a flexible polyurethane foam.
41. The support of claim 28, said chin support further comprising a
flexible polyurethane foam.
42. The support of claim 28, further comprising a cover for said
elongate base.
43. The support of claim 42, said cover further comprising
fabric.
44. The support of claim 43, further comprising a fastener, a first
portion of said fastener secured to said cover in close proximity
to said first end, and a second portion of said fastener secured to
said cover in close proximity to said second end.
45. The support of claim 44, wherein said first portion of said
fastener is detachably secured to said cover in close proximity to
said first end, and said second portion of said fastener is
detachably secured to said cover in close proximity to said second
end.
46. The support of claim 28, further comprising a lock to hold said
chin support in place.
47. The support of claim 28, wherein said elongate base has a body
extending between said first end and said second end of said
elongate base, each of said first end and said second end of said
elongate base has a depth that is larger than said depth of said
body of said elongate base.
48. The support of claim 47, wherein each of said first and second
ends of said elongate base has a shape that is customizable in
shape.
49. The support of claim 28, wherein each of said first and second
ends of said chin support is customizable in shape.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of the U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/565,175.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention pertains to the field of orthopedic devices,
including, support devices for the head and neck.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Known orthopedic devices for use around the neck of a
patient are designed to provide support and a degree of comfort for
the head, neck, and cervical portion of the spine, hereinafter
referred to as the cervical spine. For purposes of this discussion,
the cervical spine is not confined anatomically from the C1 to C7
vertebrae. Rather, the cervical spine is also used in the
functional sense and includes occiput-C1 through the 4th thoracic
vertebrae. The cervical spine is a portion of the total spinal
organ, and also includes the related soft tissues, i.e. muscles,
ligaments, and connective tissues. These head and neck supports
also provide sensory input for a patient, making a patient more
conscious of the postural alignment and position of his or her head
and neck. The head and neck supports, also known as neck collars,
are soft, semi-rigid, or rigid. There are also rigid braces
available to support the head and neck. The majority of these head
and neck supports are designed to substantially enclose the neck of
a patient, and typically include a recess on the top surface where
the patient's chin rests.
[0004] Known head and neck supports are generally designed to
provide support in the sagittal plane, namely with the patient's
head facing straight forward with zero degrees of rotation of the
head and/or cervical spine. Although at times this is beneficial
during the treatment of disorders including injuries, because the
cervical spine is complex anatomically, biomechanically, and
functionally, there are also medical conditions whose treatment
requires the head and neck to be supported in positions
incorporating varying degrees of rotation of the cervical
spine.
[0005] These effects relate to the complex movements of the
anatomical cervical spine comprised of the first cervical vertebrae
through the seventh cervical vertebrae. There are facet joints
bilaterally between each vertebrae (starting at C2-C3 and ending at
C6-C7) permitting movements of flexion, extension, sidebending, and
rotation. Additionally, the bilateral occipital condyles at the
base of the skull articulate with the first cervical vertebrae,
permitting the same types of movements. Although the exact movement
patterns are different at occiput-C1 due to a reversal of the
convex-concave joint surfaces as compared to, for example, C2-C3,
the same types of movement are permitted. There are also muscles,
tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues located along and
between the bony vertebrae and the base of skull, and nerve roots
exit the spine on each side at each vertebrae. The movements of
sidebending and rotation are physiologically combined and in the
same direction from the second vertebrae to the seventh vertebrae.
Thus, right sidebending and right rotation are combined or linked.
Either movement causes the other to also occur together. Contrary
to this, the interface between the skull and the first vertebrae
allows reversed movements, i.e. linked but to opposite sides. Thus,
right rotation of the head on the C1 vertebrae is combined with
left sidebending of the head, and vice versa. This reversal of
movement explains why we can rotate the head and neck to the right
or left and yet have the head remain level, i.e. not tilted.
Therefore, if a patient has pain with right sidebending/right
rotation of the upper neck, a treatment could be to support it in
left sidebending and/or left rotation. This relieves the
right-sided joints and soft tissues from compression and stretches
them. Similarly, a "pinched" nerve root on the right can be
relieved by rotating and/or sidebending the head and neck to the
left.
[0006] When using known head and neck supports if the neck must be
supported in a rotated position, these known devices must be
rotated in the desired direction. Because these devices are
configured for use in the sagittal plane they are not designed nor
intended for use while rotated. Because rotating them often results
in a misfit between the patient and the device, the side portions
of these devices press upon the patient's head and neck, often
imparting an unwanted tilt to the head and resulting in discomfort
to the patient. Furthermore, the shape of these devices make the
positioning and rotational control of the head and neck far less
predictable or achievable. For instance, if a physician determines
that a patient's head should be maintained and supported at
15.degree. of left rotation, it is often uncomfortable and
difficult to rotate the known head and neck supports so as to
actually achieve 15.degree. of head and neck rotation while also
keeping the head level, and the patient comfortable. Thus, there is
a need for a head and neck support that allows the head and neck to
be rested in a rotated position while the device is not rotated.
There is also a need for a head and neck support that eliminates
the need for the head and neck to literally follow a device that
has been rotated. And finally, there is a need for a head and neck
support that is able to provide support to a patient at varying,
controlled, individual small ranges of head and neck rotation,
without causing discomfort or imparting a tilt of the head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention comprises a head and neck support
device comprising at least one contoured surface. One use of the
support device of the present invention is to provide the head,
neck, and cervical spine of a patient with rest, support, and
kinesthetic input in various degrees of neck rotation, without the
need to rotate the support device itself. Rotating known support
devices often cause discomfort to the patient, often tilt the
patient's head, and because of their contours, do not allow more
precise degrees of head and neck rotation, and do not provide the
same degree of support as they do in the sagittal plane position
(0.degree. of rotation).
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the
head and neck support device includes an elongate member having a
first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first and
second ends, where the elongate member further comprises a first
contoured surface having a plurality of first surface recesses. The
elongate member may further comprise a second contoured surface
having a plurality of second surface recesses. Furthermore, each of
the ends of the elongate member may have an enlarged portion such
that the depth of each of the ends is larger than the depth of the
body of the elongate member.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the
head and neck support device includes an elongate base and a chin
support slidably coupled to the elongate base. The chin support has
a first end, a second end, a body extending between the first and
second ends, and at least one chin receptacle. Each of the ends of
the chin support may have an enlarged portion such that the depth
of each of the ends of the chin support is larger than the depth of
the body of the chin support.
[0010] Other and further aspects and features of the invention will
be evident from reading the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit,
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the support device of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of another alternate
embodiment of the recesses of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3a illustrates a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 2
formed into a ring-like shape as it may be used by a patient.
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the present invention in
use on a patient with the head and neck supported in the sagittal
plane.
[0016] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of the present invention by a
patient with the head and neck supported in a rotated plane.
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a frontal view of an alternate embodiment
of the present invention where the first and second contoured
surfaces comprise a different material than the elongate core.
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a frontal view of an alternate embodiment
of the present invention where an inner core is located within the
elongate member to provide additional support.
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of one alternative
embodiment of the present invention where the support device
comprises two halves that are coupled so that they can slide with
respect to each other.
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of the present invention where the support device
comprises a base with a sliding chin support.
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a frontal view of a support device,
particularly showing the support device of FIG. 1 having enlarged
ends.
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a frontal view of a variation of the
support device of FIG. 10, particularly showing the enlarged ends
having trimmed corners.
[0023] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate variations of a support device
having enlarged ends, particularly showing the recesses having
different shapes.
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the support
device of FIG. 10, particularly showing the enlarged ends that are
capable of being customized.
[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates the support device of FIG. 14,
particularly showing the enlarged ends that have been
customized.
[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the support
device of FIG. 9, particularly showing the chin support having
enlarged ends.
[0027] FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the support
device of FIG. 16, particularly showing the device having one chin
receptacle.
[0028] FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the support
device of FIG. 11, particularly showing the complete enlarged
portion at one end of the elongate member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a
multi-positional support device having an elongate member section.
Preferably the elongate member section comprises a first end, a
second end, and at least one contoured surface. Preferably the at
least one contoured surface has at least two recesses, and the
elongate member comprises a flexible material that permits said
elongate member to be shaped such that said first end and said
second end may be in close proximity to one another.
[0030] As seen in FIG. 1, a presently preferred embodiment of the
present invention comprises an elongate member 10 having a first
contoured surface 14 and a second contoured surface 16. The first
contoured surface 14 depicted in FIG. 1 has three first surface
recesses 12, and the second contoured surface 16 has two second
surface recesses 13. When the elongate member 10 is wrapped around
the neck of a patient for use, these recesses 12 and 13 are shaped
to retain the chin of the patient. There are a plurality of
recesses 12 and 13 on the support device, thereby providing rest,
support, and kinesthetic input for the head, neck, and cervical
spine of the patient in various degrees of neck rotation.
[0031] Preferably, the first surface recesses 12 are located at
positions that are offset from the second surface recesses 13.
Having the first and second surface recesses offset as depicted in
FIG. 1 increases the number of different angles of neck rotation
that can be supported with a single support. For example, FIG. 1
depicts a support device having three first surface recesses 12 and
two second surface recesses 13 offset from the first surface
recesses 12. This results in a total of five different positions in
which a chin can be placed to provide five different small ranges
of head and neck rotation. Three individual small ranges of head
and neck rotation are provided by the first surface recesses 12
when the first contoured surface 14 is the top surface when used by
a patient, and two additional individual small ranges of head and
neck rotation are provided by the second surface recesses 13 when
the support device is flipped over so that the second contoured
surface 16 is the top surface when used by a patient. It should be
noted that for ease in describing the invention, use of the term
"top surface" shall refer to the surface adjacent to the chin of a
patient (i.e. the surface that the chin is resting upon) when the
support is being used by a patient. Thus, the center recess of the
first contoured surface 14 allows the chin to rest in the sagittal
plane (zero degrees of rotation), and the remaining recesses 12 and
13 allow the head and neck to be supported in varying degrees of
left and right neck rotation.
[0032] The recesses 12 and 13 are designed to be deep enough to
support and retain the chin of a patient comfortably. It is
preferred that the depth of the recesses be between one-eighth of
an inch to two inches deep. Although they preferably have a rounded
or curved contour, they may be formed in any shape that will
comfortably retain the chin of a patient as illustrated by the
frontal views of alternate embodiments of the present invention in
FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment having a first
contoured surface 14 with recesses 12 that are angular, similar to
triangular cut-outs. And FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment with a first
contoured surface 14 having recesses 12 that are gear-tooth shaped,
similar to trapezoidal cut-outs. The recesses may also be
custom-made to the specific contours of the chin of a patient to
provide maximum comfort and support. It should also be noted that
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in an alternate embodiment the elongate
member may only comprise a single contoured surface 14.
[0033] Turning to FIG. 3a, the embodiment of FIG. 2 is again shown
with the support device formed into a substantially ring-like
shape, as it typically would be when used by a patient. In this
drawing, the lowest portions of the recesses 12 (or valleys) are
shown by the dashed lines, and the peaks (or hills) in between each
recess 12 are shown by the solid lines. The support device is
typically oriented such that the first end 18 and second end 22 of
the elongate member 10 will meet at the back of a patient's neck.
In accordance with this orientation, axis S represents the sagittal
plane or an angle of zero degrees. Thus a patient who requires head
and neck support while facing straight forward will utilize the
recess 12 that lies along axis S. An axis R represents a rotated
plane or an angle of, measured from the sagittal plane.
[0034] The support device of the present invention preferably
further comprises a fastener for holding the first and second ends
18 and 22 together. An example of a fastener that may be used is a
Velcro.RTM. type fastener with one portion 20 attached to end 18
and the second portion 24 attached to end 22. The portions 20 and
24 can be of any type that adequately holds the ends 18 and 22 of
the elongate member 10 together when the support device is wrapped
around the neck of a patient. Snaps, buttons, strings, or any other
type of fastener may also be used. The fastener portions 20 and 24
can be located on the ends 18 and 22, or they can be located on the
front surface of the elongate member 10 towards the ends 18 and 22.
It is presently preferred that the fasteners 20 and 24 be removable
so that the ends 18 and 22 of the elongate member 10 may be trimmed
to conform to the circumference of a patient's neck.
[0035] In lieu of the fastener portions 20 and 24, the ends 18 and
22 may be configured such that they interlock and stay joined
without the need for fasteners. The ends 18 and 22 may be designed
as a tab and slot, a tongue and groove, or a key and lock so that
they can be coupled together. For example, end 18 may comprise a
"T" shaped tab, and end 22 may comprise a "T" shaped slot, so that
the end 18 fits into the end 22 to hold the ends of the support
device together. Alternately, end 18 may comprise a long tab and
end 22 may comprise a slot. The ends are coupled by inserting the
tab of end 18 into the slot of end 22. In such an embodiment, the
tab 18 may be trimmable to allow the patient to conform the support
device to the circumference of their neck.
[0036] The elongate member 10 is preferably constructed from a
flexible polyurethane foam. In an alternate embodiments, other
materials may be used such as semi-rigid or rigid foam, other types
of flexible foam, plastics, or even metal. The thickness of the
material used to fabricate the elongate member 10 may also vary
based on a patient's needs, although the thickness of the support
device preferably ranges from a quarter of an inch to two inches in
thickness. Similarly, the height of the device may vary based on
the patient, although it preferably ranges from one inch to seven
inches in height.
[0037] The support device of the present invention preferably
further comprises a cover (not shown) for the elongate member 10.
The cover is preferably made of fabric, but any number of materials
may be used. The cover provides additional comfort for the patient
when using the support device of the present invention. The
fastener may attach to the cover in certain embodiments instead of
directly to the ends of the elongate member 10.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the support device of the
present invention as used by a patient with his head being
supported in the sagittal plane, defined by axis S. FIG. 5
illustrates the same patient using the same embodiment as shown in
FIG. 4 where the head and neck are supported in a position and
alignment that are rotated, defined by axis R. The orientation of
the support device relative to the body has not changed from FIG. 4
to FIG. 5. The recesses on the contoured surfaces of the present
invention can be precisely located allowing small individual ranges
of neck rotation to provide the most support and benefit in a
consistent manner. This feature of the present invention eliminates
the unwanted tilting of the head and neck and the uncomfortable
pressures on the head and neck that are caused by known head and
neck supports when they are rotated. In accordance with the present
invention, the support of the head is provided by the reactive
upward forces generated at the clavicles (collar bones). In
particular, the weight of the head is transmitted down through the
device to the clavicles, which provide reactive upward forces to
the head for support of the head and indirectly, the neck. By
maintaining the constant shape and contact of the device against
the clavicle, this support remains constant even as the head is
rotated.
[0039] Turning to FIG. 6, in an alternate embodiment of the present
invention, the first contoured surface 14 and the second contoured
surface 16 of the present invention comprise layers formed of a
different material than elongate member 10 itself. For example, the
first contoured surface 14 and the second contoured surface 16 may
comprise a visco-elastic memory foam to provide even greater
comfort to a patient.
[0040] As seen in FIG. 7, in another alternate embodiment the
elongate member may further comprise an inner core 30 to provide
additional support. This inner core 30 may comprise any material
known to be useful for adding support, such as a material that is
relatively more rigid than the foam used in the elongate member, or
a flexible memory retaining material such as aluminum or a
malleable metal. Alternatively, the inner core 30 may comprise an
inflatable bladder containing air or water that can provide a
varying amount of support depending upon the amount of air or water
added.
[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention. The support device of this embodiment comprises a male
elongate member 40 and a female elongate member 42. Both the male
and the female elongate bodies comprise a contoured surface with
one or more recesses 50. Male elongate member 42 further comprises
a lengthwise tongue 43, while female elongate member 40 further
comprises a lengthwise groove 44. The tongue 43 fits into groove 44
to enable the two elongate bodies to be slidably joined so that the
two may slide longitudinally with respect to one another. This
configuration allows an almost unlimited number of possible angles
for the recesses 50, accordingly increasing the number of potential
neck positions to an almost limitless number.
[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment of the
present invention. Here, the support device comprises an elongate
base 60 with a sliding chin support 62 located on a top surface 61
of the elongate base 60. The chin support 62 can slide back and
forth along the top surface 61 in this embodiment, utilizing some
form of sliding mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the
sliding mechanism is in the form of a tongue 63 and groove 64. The
chin support 62 has the tongue 63 which is located on its bottom
surface, and the elongate base 60 has the groove 64 into which the
tongue 63 is inserted. The groove 64 preferably extends along
substantially the entire length of the elongate base 60. The chin
support 62 may now slide back and forth along the top surface 61
within the groove 64. One or more chin receptacles 65 are located
in the chin support 62 to provide places for a patient's chin to
rest within. In this embodiment, the various degrees of neck
rotation are achieved by sliding the chin support 62 along the top
surface 61 to place a chin receptacle 65 in a desired location. A
mechanism such as a lock may be provided to securely secure the
chin support 62 in place once it has been adjusted.
[0043] It should be noted that although the ends of the elongate
member are shown in the previous examples to have substantially the
same depth as that for the body of the elongate member, the scope
of the invention is not so limited, and that any of the devices in
the foregoing examples may have ends that are enlarged. FIG. 10
shows an elongate member 70, which includes a first end 18, a
second end 22, a body 76 extending between the first end 18 and the
second end 22, a first contoured surface 14 having a plurality of
recesses 12, and a second contoured surface 16 having a plurality
of recesses 13. The ends 18 and 22 of the elongate member 70 have
enlarged portions 72 and 74, respectively, such that the depth 75
of each of the ends 18 and 22 is larger than the depth 71 of the
body 76 of the elongate member 70. The enlarged portions 72 and 74
join with each other to form a surface for a head to rest against
when the end 18 is connected to the end 22 by a fastener, as
described previously.
[0044] The support device shown in FIG. 10 has enlarged portions 72
and 74 that are triangular in shape. FIG. 11 shows a variation of
the support device of FIG. 10, in which the enlarged portions 72
and 74 of the ends 18 and 22, respectively, have flat contours,
i.e., having trapezoidal shape. The enlarged portions 72 and 74
having flat contours are preferred because they provide an even
surface for a head to rest against even as the head or neck is
rotated to rest at different angles of rotation. It should be noted
that the enlarged portions 72 and 74 of the elongate member 70 may
have other shapes as well, such as rectangles and ovals, and that
they are not limited to the examples illustrated previously.
Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the corners of the
triangular shaped portions 72 and 74, like that shown in FIG. 10,
could be advantageously trimmed or snipped off by a user to form
tapered or flat contours, such as those shown in FIG. 11. If the
support device includes a fabric cover, as described previously,
the cover may include an opening from which the corners of the
enlarged portions 72 and 74 could be pulled out for shaping and/or
sizing purpose.
[0045] FIGS. 12 and 13 are variations of the support device of FIG.
10. FIG. 12 shows an elongate member 70, which includes a contoured
surface 14 having a plurality of recesses 12 that are angular. FIG.
13 shows an elongate member 70, which includes a contoured surface
14 having a plurality of recesses 12 that are trapezoidal. The
recesses 12 may have other geometric shapes or customized shapes,
and are not limited to the foregoing examples.
[0046] FIG. 14 is another variation of the support device of FIG.
10, which includes at least one customizable enlarged portion 78 at
each end of the elongate member 70. In particular, FIG. 14 shows
four customizable enlarged portions 78 (two at each of the ends 18
and 22 of the elongate member 70). Alternatively, the elongate
member 70 may include only two enlarged portions 78 (one at each of
the ends 18 and 22 of the elongate member 70). The customizable
enlarged portion 78 allows a user to customize the shape and size
of the support by removing a portion of the customizable enlarged
portion 78 along a desired contour 79. FIG. 15 shows the device of
FIG. 14 after a portion of the customizable enlarged portion 78 has
been removed along the contour 79. Each of the resulting ends 18
and 22 has a depth 75 that is larger than the depth 71 of the body
76 of the elongate member 70. However, if it is desirable, the
customizable enlarged portion 78 may be trimmed or cut such that
the resulting ends 18 and 22 each has a depth that is equal to, or
shorter than, the depth 71 of the body 76 of the elongate member
70.
[0047] FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the support
device of FIG. 9 that has enlarged ends. The device includes an
elongate base 80 and a chin support 82 having a first end 18, a
second 22, and a body 83 extending between the first and second
ends 18 and 22. As discussed previously, the chin support 82 is
slidably coupled to the elongate base 80 and allows the head to
rotate while the chin is supported within one of the chin
receptacles 50. The head may also rotate by positioning the chin so
that it rests within a different chin receptacle 50. Alternatively,
as shown in FIG. 17, the chin support 82 may have only one chin
receptacle 50. Furthermore, the elongate base 80 may have at least
one receptacle 50, as shown in FIG. 16, or alternatively, it may
have no receptacle at all, as shown in FIG. 17. Although not shown,
the elongate base 80 may also have enlarged ends.
[0048] FIGS. 10-17 shows that the enlarged portions 72 and 74 at
the ends 18 and 22, respectively, are designed to be joined
together such that they form a complete surface for a head to rest
against. However, in an alternative embodiment, the complete
surface may be fabricated as a single element, without requiring
two enlarged portions 72 and 74 to be joined together. FIG. 18
illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 11,
which includes a complete enlarged portion 90 at one end of the
elongate member 70. The complete enlarged portion 90 provides a
complete surface for a head to rest against. Alternatively, the
complete enlarged portion 90 may also be located anywhere along the
body 76 of the elongate member 70.
[0049] One method of using the head and neck support device of the
present invention is to place the elongate member 10 around the
neck of a patient oriented with the first and second ends 18 and 22
meeting at the back of the patient's neck, such that the interface
where the ends 18 and 22 meet is substantially aligned with the
sagittal plane. The chin of the patient is then positioned within
one of the recesses. The enlarged portions 72 and 74 of the device
provide a surface for the head to rest against. Preferably, a
fastener is used to fasten the ends 18 and 22 together to hold the
support device around the neck of the patient. Now, if the patient
needs to reposition his or her head and neck to support them at a
different angle, the patient can reposition his or her chin within
another recess on the top contoured surface without removing or
reorienting the support device.
[0050] In the event that the patient needs to reposition his or her
head and neck at an angle that is not provided for by the recesses
in the top contoured surface, the patient may remove the support
device and flip the support device over so that the former bottom
contoured surface is the new top contoured surface. The recesses on
the new top contoured surface are at different positions (i.e.,
staggered) from the recesses on the former top contoured surface,
thus providing angles that the former top contoured surface could
not provide. The support device is then replaced around the neck of
the patient so that the first and second ends 18 and 22 again meet
at the back of the patient's neck such that the interface where the
ends 18 and 22 meet is substantially aligned with the sagittal
plane, and the chin of the patient is again positioned within one
of the recesses located on the new top contoured surface.
[0051] Another method of use is when a patient using the support
device desires to remove it for a duration of time. Here, the
elongate member 10 is first placed around the neck of a patient
oriented with the first and second ends 18 and 22 meeting at the
back of the patient's neck, such that the interface where the ends
18 and 22 meet is substantially aligned with the sagittal plane.
Next, the chin of the patient is positioned within one of the
recesses. At some point thereafter, the patient may remove the
device for a duration of time. Subsequently when the patient wishes
to again use the support device, the elongate member 10 is replaced
around the neck of a patient oriented with the first and second
ends 18 and 22 meeting at the back of the patient's neck, such that
the interface where the ends 18 and 22 meet is again substantially
aligned with the sagittal plane. This ensures that the recesses
will be positioned at the same locations as before. Finally, the
chin of the patient is again positioned within one of the
recesses.
[0052] Thus, a head and neck support device and methods of its use
have been described. While embodiments, applications, and
advantages of the invention have been shown and described, many
more embodiments and advantages are possible without deviating from
the inventive concepts described herein. Thus, the invention is not
to be restricted except in accordance with the spirit of the
appended claims.
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