U.S. patent number RE32,219 [Application Number 06/578,979] was granted by the patent office on 1986-08-05 for portable cervical collar.
Invention is credited to Geoffrey C. Garth.
United States Patent |
RE32,219 |
Garth |
August 5, 1986 |
Portable cervical collar
Abstract
There is disclosed a portable cervical collar formed of an
elongated band of stiff, flexible sheet material which can be
formed into a cylindrical collar. The collar includes a chin
support brace which is a generally C-shaped flat sheet that can be
attached with its opposite ends secured to opposite sides of the
formed collar thereby forming a concave, forwardly projecting
support shelf to immobilize the wearer's chin. The collar is
intended as a portable, compact collar for field use by paramedics
and the like during transportation and initial examination of a
patient.
Inventors: |
Garth; Geoffrey C. (Long Beach,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
26978156 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/578,979 |
Filed: |
February 10, 1984 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
311959 |
Oct 16, 1981 |
04413619 |
Nov 8, 1983 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
602/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
5/055 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
5/04 (20060101); A61F 5/055 (20060101); A61F
005/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;D24/64 ;128/75,80 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Apley; R. J.
Assistant Examiner: Isabella; David J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Plante, Strauss &
Vanderburgh
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cervical collar formed entirely of .[.a stiff, flexible flat
plastic sheet band having an asymmetrical configuration
comprising.].:
(a) an elongated neck encircling band formed .Iadd.entirely
.Iaddend.of .[.said.]. stiff, flexible .Iadd.plastic .Iaddend.sheet
material having front, .[.and back.]. side .Iadd.and opposite side
.Iaddend.portions;
(b) a chin support brace, also formed entirely of stiff flexible
plastic sheet material having a generally C-shape including
fastening means located on each end of said brace;
(c) said chin support brace fastening means being engageable with
cooperative attachment means located at least on opposite
.[.sides.]. .Iadd.side portions .Iaddend.of said neck encircling
band such that when said band is formed into said collar at least
one of said fastening means is allowed to align with a respective
attachment means thus bowing said brace thereby enabling said brace
to obtain an upwardly inclined, conically convex chin rest
supported along its' entire length by the upper edge of the front
portion of said band and projecting forwardly therefrom;
(d) collar retention means carried at each end of said band and
mutually cooperative to retain said band in its collar
configuration.
2. The cervical collar of claim 1 wherein said .Iadd.neck
encircling band has front, side and back portions and said
.Iaddend.front portion of said band is laterally offset from, and
of greater width than, said side portions with curvilinear edges
with smooth transition therebetween.
3. The cervical collar of claim 2 wherein said back portion of said
band is of lesser width than said side portions.
4. A cervical collar formed of a stiff, flexible plastic sheet band
having an asymmetrical configuration comprising:
(a) an elongated neck encircling band formed of stiff, flexible
sheet material having a front, side and back portions with said
back portion integral with one of said side portions whereby said
band is joined together to form said collar at one side
thereof;
(b) a chin support brace, also formed entirely of stiff flexible
plastic sheet material having a generally C-shape including
fastening means located on each end of said brace;
(c) said chin support brace fastening means being engageable with
cooperative attachment means located at least on opposite sides of
said neck encircling band such that when said band is formed into
said collar at least one of said fastening means is allowed to
align with a respective attachment means thus bowing said brace
thereby enabling said brace to obtain an upwardly inclined,
conically convex chin rest supported along its' entire length by
the upper edge of the front portion of said band and projecting
forwardly therefrom; and
(d) collar retention means, one each carried at the side end and at
the back end of said band and mutually cooperative to retain said
band in its collar configuration.
5. The cervical collar of claim 4 wherein said neck encircling band
has a distal slot and secured to the inside wall of said encircling
band is a first band of attachment fabric extending through said
slot and having a free end extending past and overlying the end of
said encircling band, and the opposite end of said neck encircling
band has a coacting second band of attachment fabric secured to its
outside wall to underlie said first band of attachment fabric when
said neck encircling band is folded into said collar.
6. The cervical collar of claim .[.5.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein
said band of attachment fabric is engageable by a cooperative
attachment fabric carried on the outside surface of one side
portion of said encircling band.
7. The cervical collar of claim 1 wherein the bight portion of said
chin support brace is of greater width than the remainder of said
brace.
8. The cervical collar of claim .[.5 .Iadd.7 .Iaddend.wherein one
end of said chin support brace is permanently secured to one side
of said neck encircling band and includes detachable means for
connecting its opposite end to the opposite side of said neck
encircling band during assembly of said collar whereby said chin
support brace can be unfolded into a flat configuration and folded
and secured into said conically convex shape.
9. The cervical collar of claim 1 including a resilient band
secured along and projecting slightly over the lower edge of said
elongated band.
10. The cervical collar of claim .[.8.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.including
an integral tab centrally dependent from the upper edge of said
front portion of said band and permanently attached to the central
undersurface of said chin support brace.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
.Iadd.This application is a reissue of Ser. No. 311,959 now U.S.
Pat. No. 4,313,619. .Iaddend.
Cervical collars are commonly formed of relatively thick material,
usually in two pieces which are assembled about a wearer's neck.
These collars are too bulky and cumbersome for field use by
paramedics. Some attempts have been made to provide cervical
collars from stiff flexible sheet material which is cut into an
elongated band that is encircled about the wearer's neck. Although
rolled edges of leather or plastic foam have been provided on some
of these collars as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,075,521, none of these
cervical collars adequately provide support and restraint for the
wearer's chin. A chin restraint is desirable and usually essential
to immobilize the patient's neck and prevent movement during
transporting and preliminary examining of the patient.
BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
This invention comprises a portable cervical collar which has a
chin brace to immoblize a patient's chin and neck. The collar is
formed of an elongated band of stiff, flexible material such as
various plastics. A chin support brace is provided in the form of a
generally C-shaped plate which can be secured at its opposite ends
to opposite sides of the cervial collar. The central or bight
portion of the chin support, when assembled to the formed collar,
projects forward from the front of the collar and forms an upwardly
inclined, conically convex support or rest for the patient's chin.
In the preferred embodiment, the neck encircling elongated band is
secured in its formed collar configuration by Velcro fasteners
which attach at one side of the collar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described with reference to the figures of
which:
FIG. 1 illustrates the cervial collar of the invention in its flat,
unassembled position;
FIG. 2 illustrates the collar of the invention partially
assembled;
FIG. 3 illustrates the cervical collar of the invention assembled
on a patient; and
FIG. 4 is a view along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3; and
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the application of the cervical collar of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The cervical collar of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 in its
unassembled or portable configuration as it would be carried by
paramedics in a portable pack or a mobile paramedic unit. The
collar comprises an elongated band 10 which is formed of a stiff
flexible sheet material such as various plastics, e.g., high and
low density polyethylene, polyvinylchloride,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polypropylene, etc. The
elongated band 10 has two side portions 12 and 14, an intermediate
front portion 16 and a back portion 18. The front portion 16 is of
greater width than the side portions 12 and 14 and is laterally
transposed a substantial distance from the longitudinal axis 20 of
band 10. The opposite longitudinal edges 22 and 24 of band 10 are
curvilinear with smooth transitions such as 26 and 28 between the
side and forward portions. A foam strip 21 is preferably secured to
the lower edge 24 of the band 10 by suitable fastening means, e.g.,
snap fasteners and/or staples. Cement or other bonding means can
also be used. Preferably the foam strip 21 includes a foam pad 53
overlying the inside surface of back 18, as shown. This provides
additional comfort to the patient. The attachment band 34 is
applied over the inside surface of the pad 51 to permit assembly as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The attachment band 34 overlies a short
portion 19 of foam pad 53, as shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the
entire inside surface of the chin support brace 50 can receive a
cushioning pad. The pads which are used can be foamed plastics such
as polyurethane. Most preferably, the foam strip projects a slight
distance past the lower edge 24, as shown to provide maximum
cushioning to the patient. A large aperture 30 is preferably
provided centrally located in the forward portion to provide access
to the patient's throat for an emergency tracheostomy. The hole is
optional and may be left out, particularly when the collar is
formed of materials having lesser rigidity such as low density
polyethylene.
In its preferred embodiment, the elongated band 10 is asymmetric
about its lateral axis 23 with the back portion 18 of band 10 being
integral with one side portion 14, thereby providing the band
retaining means to the side of the formed collar, in a manner
hereinafter described. The back portion 18 is preferably of reduced
width, substantially as shown, and distally carries the collar
retaining means, attachment or assembly band 34. The elongated band
10 has a laterally transverse slot 36 adjacent one end, and the
attachment or retaining band 34 is passed through this slot, from
the inside wall 38 of band 10 and has a free or unattached end
portion 35 of approximately equal length to its attached end
portion 37. The attachment band, which preferably is a Velcro
fastener, is secured to the elongated band 10 by any suitable means
such as rivets 40 and other fasteners.
A cooperative Velcro attachment band 42 is secured to the outside
wall of the opposite side portion 12, again with suitable fasteners
such as rivets 44 and the like.
The chin support brace 50 is a generally C-shaped plate 52 which
has distal apertures 54 and 56 and a central aperture 51.
Preferably, one end of plate 52 is permanently secured to one of
the sides 12 of the collar by suitable means, e.g., a rivet or snap
fastener 57. The center of chin support brace 50 is also secured to
the collar by snap fastener 55 which extends through aperture 51
and into an aligned aperture of apendage or tab 13 that projects
from edge 22 of the collar. The opposite end of the plate 52 is
unattached, however suitable attachment means such as a snap
fastener 59 is provided whereby the opposite or free end 58 of
plate 52 can be secured to the opposite side 14 of the elongated
band 10 during assembly of the cervical collar. To this end, a
cooperative aperture 60 is provided at a symmetrical position in
side 14 relative to the front portion 16 of band 10.
The chin support brace 50, as previously mentioned, has a general
C-shape with bight portion 64 of expanded width with an arcuate
forward edge 66. Chin support 50 can be formed of the same, stiff,
flexible sheet material as used for elongated band 10, or if
desired a sheet material of a preselected stiffness, e.g., one
having slightly more pliability, can be used for greater patient
comfort while still providing the necessary immobilization.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the assembly of the cervical collar will
be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the cervical collar is partially
assembled; with the chin support brace 50 secured with both of its
ends attached to the opposite sides 12 and 14 of the collar 10.
This is accomplished by bowing the front portion 16 and moving the
chin support brace to align apertures 56 and 60 and then securing
the assembly by inserting the snap fastener 59 through the aligned
apertures. Additionally, the attachment of the chin support brace
to the opposite sides of the cervical collar in the illustrated
manner reinforces the cervical collar and retains it in a partially
cylindrical configuration with an arcuate bow 70 to the front
portion 16 of the collar 10. In this configuration, the cervical
collar is ready for application on the patient. FIG. 3 shows the
cervical collar in place about a patient's neck 74. The collar is
secured in assembly by engagement of band 34 with its cooperative
band 42. In this position, the chin support brace 50 firmly
supports the patients' chin 76.
As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment band 34 cooperatively engages
the cooperative band 42 at two locations; 39 and 41. Generally, the
first engagement area 39 is sufficient to retain the assembly,
however, a more secure assembly is insured by the engagement area
41 between the end portion 35, which overlies the end 18 of band
10, and the cooperative band 42. This insures that the resiliency
of the plastic band 10 does not spring the assembly apart. Assembly
is also enhanced by the slots 31 (see FIG. 1) which slightly weaken
the end of the collar and permit its deflection before
application.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated the
application of the cervical collar to a patient in the supine
position. The cervical collar can be readily applied by a paramedic
holding the bowed forward portion 16 in one hand 72 while slipping
the back portion 18 beneath the patient's neck. The collar can then
be guided into place to firmly seat beneath the patient's chin. The
back portion is wrapped about the patient's neck, joining the
collar into its assembled position with the fabric attachment band
34 secured to its cooperative band 42 on the outside of side
portion 12 of the collar 10.
The cervical collar as thus described is ideally suited for
portable or field use by paramedics. Because the entire collar can
be unfolded into a flat position, it can be packed in a portable
medical supply kit or stored in a mobile paramedic unit. The chin
support brace is preferably attached with one end permanently
secured in a pivot attachment to the collar so that it is always
present when needed in an emergency. The collar can be readily
applied by a single paramedic since the assembly of the chin
support brace to both sides of the collar preforms the forward
portion of the collar, imparting a bowed configuration thereto,
thereby permitting placement of the forward and side portions of
the collar about the patient's neck with a single handed operation.
Since the collar is asymmetric about its lateral axis with the back
portion integral with one side portion, the collar can be readily
applied to supine patients since the collar is assembled at the
side rather than at the back.
The cervical collar is intended primarily for temporary use in
transporting and preliminary examination of the patient. The collar
is formed entirely of plastic or similar material which is
transparent to X-rays, thereby permitting X-ray examination of the
patient wearing the collar. The large aperture in the front portion
of the collar permits insertion of a tube and/or permits paramedics
to perform tracheostomies with the collar in place. Throughout all
transporting and examining of the patient, the patient's chin is
maintained in an immobilized condition under a slight upward
pressure from the chin support brace, all as desired for safe and
correct treatment.
The invention has been described with reference to the illustrated
and presently preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the
invention be limited by this description of preferred embodiments.
Instead, it is intended that the invention be defined by the means,
and the obvious equivalents, set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *