Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
~ ~9~7
NCY MEDIC~I. CERVIC~L COLLAR
Background Of The Invention
Cervical collars for use in a hospital environment
are well-known. U.S. patent 3,756,226 discloses a cervical
collar which may be used in such an environment. The
coll~r comprises front and rear halves which are secured
together by mating strap ~asteners. The collar halves are
applied to the patient's neck region to immobilize the
cervical portion of the patient's spine. In use, the
collar halves are manually aligned and then fastened by
applying the mating strap fasteners along the side or end
portions o~ the collar halves. The front half of the
collar is provided with a chin cavity and support portion
and a rigid ~upport member to prevent the patient's head
from tilting forward~and causing flexion o~ the cervical
portion of the spine. The rear collar half is provided
with a rigid support member to prevent the patient's head
from tilting rearwardly and causing hyperextension of the
cervical portion of the spine. The collar halves overlap
at each side region of the patient's neck, below the level
of the ear. The front collar half embraces the patient's
jawbone only at the chin region. As a result, rotation or
2271-16 (C~P 2) -1-
side-to-side motion of the patient's head is not entirely
prevented and the cervical portion of the patient' 5 spine
is not completely immobilized.
In the emergency medical environment, a cervical
collar should be capable of being assembled rapidly and
reliably to completely immobilize the cervical portion of
the victim's spine so that the victim can be transported
from the accident site as quickly as possible and without
danger of secondary injury. A cervical collar comprising
collar halves as in U.S~ patent 3,756,226 requires a
certain dexterity in aligning the collar halves before the
halves are fastened together. If the collar halves are not
properly aligned when first applied to the victim's neck
region, it may be necessary to lift the victim's head a
number of times to enable the rear half of the collar to be
shifted into alignment with the front half. Also, although
a collar of this type may adequately serve to prevent
flexion and hyperextension of the cervical portion of the
victim's spine, the collar does not sufficiently embrace
the victim's jawbone and skull so as to entirely eliminate
rotation of side-to-side movement of the YiCtim~s head. It
is therefore desireable to apply a separate strap across
the victim's forehead as a further precautionary measure to
prevent rotation or side-to-side movement of the head and
more completely immobilize the cervical portion of the
spine. The victim is typically placed on an evacuation
board which is provided with such a strap. If the
evacuation board strap has been damaged or lost, or
otherwise not provided, the cervical collar alone cannot
completely immobilize the cervical portion of the spine.
The problem solved by the present invention is that
of providing a cervical collar of the type disclosed in
U.S. patent 3,756,226 but which is especially suited for
emergency medical use, that is, a cervical collar which can
2271-16 (CIP 2) -2-
2 7
be rapidly and reliably assembled at the scene of an
accident (on land or in water) without having to lift the
victim's head repeatedly to ensure proper alignment of the
collar halves and which is capable of embracing the
victim's jawbone, skull and forehead to prevent rotation or
side-to-side movement of the head and thereby more
completely immobilize the cervical portion of the spine so
that the victim can be transported from the accident site
without danger of secondary injury.
Brief Summary Of The Invention
Emergency medical cervical collar comprises first and
second discrete body halves, one of the halves being a
front half and the other being the rear half. Each half is
generally U-shaped and preformed from a soft-flexible
material. The collar is provided with means for adjustably
drawing the body halves together such that the body halves
self-align with the end portions of the body halves in
adjustable overlapping relation, and for securely holding
the body halves together as aligned.
The collar is also provided with means for adjustably
encircling a portion of the victim's head including the
forehead to prevent rotation or side-to-side movement of
the head and thereby completely immobilizes the cervical
portion of the victim's spine.
Emergency medical cervical collar which can
accommodate varying neck circumferences. The collar
comprises first and second discrete body halves, one of the
halves being an expandable front half and the other being a
rear half. Each half is generally U-shaped and preformed
from a soft, flexible material. In one embodiment, the
collar comprises a front half having an opening for
providing access to the wearer's trachea, and a sli~
extending from the opening to the bottom edge of the collar
half whereby the collar half is expandable to accommodate a
2271-16 (CIP 2) -3-
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9~2~
wide range of neck circumferences including unusually large
neck circumferences such as 23 inches. In another
embodiment, the collar comprises a rear half having a rigid
support member and slits located on opposite sides o~ the
support member to increase the flexibility of the collar
half whereby the collar half is ccllapsible to accommodate
a wide range of neck circumferences including unusually
small neck circumferences such as 11 inches.
Brief Description Of The Drawinas
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there
is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently
preferred; it being understood, however, that this
invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and
instrumentalities shown.
Figure 1 is a perspective of a emergency medical
cervical collar wherein the collar halves are separated.
Figure 2 is a rear view of the rear collar half.
Figure 3 is a front view of the rear collar half.
Figure 4 is a front view of the front collar half.
Figure ~ shows the collar halves being drawn together
in actual use.
Figure 6 shows the collar halves drawn together,
allgned and ~astened in place.
Figure 7 shows the collar halves aligned and fastened
in place with a strap fastener being applied to the
victim's forehead.
Figure 8 shows the strap fastener applied to the
victim's forehead and secured in place.
Figure 9 shows an alternate embodiment of the rear
collar half and the strap fastener for application to the
person's forehead.
2271-16 (CIP 2) -4-
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Figure 10 shows the collar halves separated and
rolled, one over the other, to form a compact tubular
shaped unit for the purpose of storage.
~ igure 11 shows a further embodiment of the rear
collar half and the strap fastener for application to the
person's forehead.
Figure 12 shows a front collar half according to the
present invention which accommodates persons having large
neck circumferences.
Figure 13 shows a xear half according to the present
invention which accommodate persons having small neck
circumfexences.
Figure 14 is a plan view of 'the rear collar half
taken along 14-14 of Figure 13.
Figure 15 is an isometric view of an alternate
embodiment of the front collar half of the present
invention.
Figure 16 is a sectional view taken along lines 16-16
of Figure 15.
Figure 17 is an elevational view of another alternate
embodiment of the front collar half of the present
invention.
Figure 18 i5 an isometric view of an alternate
embodiment o~ the rear collar half of the present invention
and is preferably used with the front collar hal~
illustraked in Figure 17.
Figure 19 is an isometric view o~ an alternate
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 20 is an isometric view of the rear collar
half illustrated in Figure 19.
~e~,~ailed ~escriptio~ Of Th,e,,~ ention
Referring to the drawings, whereln lika numerals
indicate like elements, there is shown in Figure 1 an
emergency medical cervical collar 10 which
2271-16 (CIP 2) -5-
L3~9~27
includes first and second discrete body halves, one of the
halves being a front half 12 for application to the front
of a person's neck region and the other being a rear half
14 for application to the rear of a person's neck region.
The front half 12 comprises a generally U-shaped body
16 having end portions 18 and 20 extending from the bight
portion 22. The body is preferably made from a soft,
flexible, lightweight, material which is non-toxic, water
resistant and buoyant in water, for example a closed cell
polymeric plastic material such as polyethylene or
polyurethane as di~closed in U.S. patent 3,756,226~ The
material of body 16 is capable of being formed in a die or
mold as described in U.S. patent 3,756,226. The body may
also be a reinforced laminate of the same soft material
with a ..thinner vuter layer of relatively rigid polymeric
plastic material such as polyethylene (shown but not
numbered in Figure 1). The top edges 26, 28 of the front
half end portions 18, 20 extend from the bight portion 22
so that ~he upper regions of end portions 18, 20 embrace
the patient'~ jawbone when the collar is .in place. See
Figures 5 and.6. The upper end of the bight portion 22 is
shaped ~o provide a chin cavity and chin support 30. A
cov~ring 32 ~rom a material such as moleskin is adhesively
or otherwise secured on the inner surface of the chin
support.
The front half 12 is provided with an opening 34 at
the bight portion, below the level of the chin support.
The op~ning provide~ access to the tracheal region of the
person's neck to enable an emergency tracheotomy to be
performed at the accident scene if necessary as described
in U.S. Patent No. 4,677,969. The opening also provides
ventilation at the neck region. The front half 12 is also
provided with a rigid reinforcing support member 36 at
i~ 2271-16 (CIP 2) -6-
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bight portion 22. Support member 36 may be mads from a
polymeric plastic material such as polystyrene and has an
opening 38 which is aligned with opening 34 so as to
provide access to the person's trachea.
The support member 36 is secured to the front half 12
by plastic rivets 40, 42. The support member 36 is
generally arcuate so as to conform to the arcuate surface
of front half 12 at bight portion 22. The rivets 42 also
couple strap fastener guides 44, 46 to support member 36.
The guides 44, 46 are made of a polymeric plastic material
and are mounted on the support member 36 so as to be
rotatable about the axis of each rivet 42.
Each strap fastener guide 44, 46 is preferably
preformed from a single piece of material folded over so as
to hold one leg of a loo~ 48 (50) of like material such
that the loop is free to swivel about an axis coincident
with the loop leg.
The rear half 14 comprises a generally U-shaped body
52 made from the same soft material as the m~terial used
40r body 16. The body may also be a reinforced laminate of
the same soft material with a thinner outer layer of
relatively rigid polymeric plastic material such as
polyethylene (not shown). The end portions 54 and 56 of
body 52 extend from a bight portion 58. The upper end of
the bight portion is shaped to provide a skull cavity and
support 60 for the bottom portion of the person's skull.
The top edges 62, 64 of end portions 54, 56 extend from the
upper end of the bight portion 58 such that the end
portions embrace the person's ears, thereby preventing the
end portions 18, 20 of front half 12 from riding under ~he
person's ear lobes or from biting a portion of either ear.
Thus, the end portions 54, 56 of rear half 14 provide a
protective cushion for the person's ears.
2271~16 (CIP 2) -7-
1 3 ~ 7
A rigid support member 68, made from the same
material as member 36, is secured to the bight portion 58
of body 52 on the outer surface thereof. Support member 68
is secured to the bight portion of body 52 by plastic
rivets 70, 72. Support member 68 has a curved upper
portion which matches the curvature of the back portion of
the person's neck near the base of the skull. The curved
portion extends to the region of the skull support 60. A
flexible strap fastener 74 is coupled to the curved upper
portion of support member 68 by a plastic rivet 76. Rivet
76 does not secure member 68 to the body 52. Preferably,
the rivet is located entirely outside the body 52 so as not
to impinge on the back region of the person's skull. The
strap fastener 74 is couplad along an end portion 78
thereof to support member 68 so that the strap fastener can
be moved or swiveled about the axis of rivet 76.
The outer face of strap fastener 74 at end portion 78
thereof is provided with a fastener material such as Velcro
(Trademark). The opposite face of the strap fastener 74,
including the opposite end portion 80, is provided with
mating fastener material, also Velcro. Prior to use, strap
fastener 74 is -formed in a loop with khe end portions 78,
80 releasably interlocked. In use, end portions 78, 80 are
separated, the strap fastener is looped around the person~s
forehead, and the end portions 78, 80 are re-attached.
Strap fastener 74 is mounted on member 68 along the curved
upper portion thereof so as to ensure that the strap
fastener is applied evenly across khe person's forehead.
Thus, a person's forehead will be pitched in the same
direction as the curved portion of member 68. The length
of strap fastener 74 is chosen to accommodate a wide range
of head sizes. A pad 82 in the form of a loop of material
such as rubber or horsehide is applied to the strap
fastener 74 so as to be slidable therealong. The outer
2271-16 (CIP 2) -8-
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g
surface of pad 82 provides a ~riction surface for
contacting the person's forehead thereby preventinq the
strap fastener 74 from sliding on the person's ~orehead.
The pad also eerves as a cushion which prevents the strap
fastener from biting the person's forehead.
A second Plexible strap fastener 8~ is coupled along
a medial portion thereof to member 68 by rivet 70. The
outer face of strap ~astener 84 is provided with fastener
material, ~uch as~Velcro, along opposite end portions 86,
88. The same face of the strap fastener is provided with
mating fastener material, also Velcro, along portion 90
between end portions 86, 88. The strap fastener 8~, in
cooperation with the strap fastener guides 44, 46, is used
to align front half 12 and rear half 14 and to draw and
secure the front and r~ar halves together. The length of
the strap fastener 84 is chosen to accommodate a wide range
of head and necX sizes.
Prior to use, strap fastener 84 is wrapped around a
central, generally convex portion of the outer surface of
body 52, around end edges 92, 94, and along the inside
surface of the body 52. The strap fastener 84 is held in
position by paper bands 96, 98 which are wound around or
slipped over each end portion of body 52. When the collar
is used, the paper bands are first torn away so as to free
the strap ~astener 84 as further described below.
I~ de~red, D-~haped openings 100, 102, a~ shown in
phantom, may be Pormed in the rear collar half 14 on eithar
sidQ o~ th~ ~upport msmber 68. openlng~ 100, 102 permit
the rear half 14 to flex to a substantially ~lat position
so as to facilitate use while providing ventilation in use.
In an alternative embodiment o~ the rear collar half
14' and strap fastener 74' as shown in Figure 9, rivet 76
may be dispensed with, and the strap fastener 74' may be
coupled to the rear collar half 14' by swatches 104, 106 of
* TRADEMARK
..~.
~ 2271-16 ~CIP 2) -9-
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Velcro fastener material. Each swatch 104, 106 is secured
to the body 52, on either side of support member 68, by
plastic rivets 108, 110. Strap fastener 74' is provided
with mating Velcro fastener material along a face thereof
so that opposite end portions 78', 80' of the strap
fastener may be secured to the swatch~s 104, 106 by a
releasable interlock. The rear collar half 14' is
otherwise identical to rear collar half 14.
In a further e~bodiment of the rear collar half 14''
and strap fastener 74'' as shown in Figure 11, the rivet 76
is dispensed with, and the strap fastener 74'' is coupled
at end portion 78'' to rear collar half 14'' by a plastic
rivet 118 at one side of the rear collar half bight
portion. The strap fastener 74'' can be moved or swiveled
about the axis of rivet 1180 The outer face of the strap
fastener 74'' including end portion 78'' is provided with
fastener material such as Velcro. The opposite end portion
80'' of the strap fastener, along the same face, is
provided with mating fastener material such as Velcro.
Prior to use, strap fastener 74'' is formed in a loop with
end portions 78'', 80'' releasably interlockedO A strap
fastener guide 120, identical to guides 44, 46, is coupled
by a plastic rivet 122 to the rear collar half at another
side of the rear collar bight. The strap fastener guide
120 is rotatable about the axis of rivet 122. Strap
fastener guide 120 holds one leg of a guide loop 124,
identical to guide loops 48, 50, such that the loop is free
to swivel about an axis coincident with the loop leg. The
rear collar half 14'' is otherwise identical to rear collar
half 14.
The end portions 18, 20 of front collar half 12
extend from the bight portion 22 a substantially greater
distance than end portions of the front collar half
disclosed in U.S. patent 3,756,226. Similarly, end
2271-16 (CIP 2) -10-
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portions 54, 56 of rear collar half l~ extend a
substantially greater distance from bight portion 58 than
end portions of the rear collar half disclosed in U.S.
patent 3,756,226. The distance over which the end portions
of each collar half 12, l~ extend is chosen to provide a
wide range of overlap between the end portions so as to
accommodate a wide range of head and neck sizes.
The approach previously taken was to provide collar
halves having at least three different sizes as determined
by the len~th of the end portions of the collar half
measured from the bight portion. In the present invention,
one pair of front and rear collar halves 12, 14, each
having end portions which extend over a substantially
greater distance from the bight portion, suffices to
accommodate most adult head and neck sizes. Another pair
of collar halves 12, l~, each having end portions which
extend over a substantially greater distance from the bight
portion, suffices to accommodate most children's head and
neck sizes. Thus, only two sizes of collars are re~uired
to treat almost all ages and neck sizes. A single adult
size collar lO may have end portions which extend from the
collar half bight portions so as to accommodate neck sizes
between approximately 11 and 18 inches which is believed to
be a suitable range for most adults. A single pediatric
size collar 10 may have end portions which extend from the
collar half bight portions so as to accommodate neck sizes
between approximately 5 and 10 inches which is believed to
be a suitable range for most children between approximately
3 years and 13 years of age.
In an emergency medical situation involving injury to
the cervical portion of the victim's spine, the cervical
portion of the spine should be rapidly and completely
immobilized with minimal disturbance to the victim. In
applying the cervical collar as disclosed herein in an
2271-16 (CIP 2)
:~3~27
emergency medical ~ituation, strap ~astener 74 remains
looped back on ikself and is swiveled to the cleared
position, away from and ~o the side of the rear collar half
so as to avoid entanglement with strap fastener 84 and so
as to render strap fastener 74 available for immediate
access and use, as described more fully below, after the
collar halves 12, 14 have been coupled together. The rear
collar half 14 is flattened, with paper bands 96, 98 in
place, and then slipped behind the victim's neck. Paper
bands 96, 98 are then broken and discarded to free strap
fastener 84 from rear collar half 14. Front collar half 12
is then applied to the victim's front neck portion with
chin support 30 immediately beneath the victim's chin and
end portions 18, 20 extending around and embracing the
sides of the victim's jawbone and neck. The rear collar
half end portions 54, 56 lie insids front collar half end
portions 18, 20.
End portions 86, 88 of strap fastenar 84 are then
threaded through the strap fastener guide loops 48, 50.
These loops may first be swiveled on guides 44, 46, away
from the outer surface of front collar half body 16, so as
to facilitate threading of the strap fastener end portions
86, 88 therethrough. The strap fastener end portions 86,
88 are then folded back and pulled evenly so as to draw
them by equal lengths through the strap fastener guide
loops 48, 50 thereby drawing collar halves 12, 14 together
as shown in Figure 5. The strap fastener guides 44, 46
rotate or swivel on the rivets 42 so that the front and
rear collar halves 12, 14 self-align as they are being
drawn together. The strap fastener guide loops 48, SO
swivel on guides 44, 46 towards a closed position as the
strap fastener end portions 86, 88 are pulled to draw the
collar halves 12, 14 together. The strap fastener end
2271-16 (CIP 2) -12-
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portions 86, 8~ are then secured in a releasable interlock
to strap fastener portion 90.
The joined collar halves 12, 14 securely embrace the
victim's head region to more completely immobilize the
cervical portion of the spine as shown in Figure 6. The
top edges 26, 28 of front collar half end portions 18, 20
extend akove the victim's jaw bone so that the front collar
end portions embrace substantially all of the person's jaw
bone, and the rear collar half end portions 54, 56 extend
over the victim's ear thereby providin~ a cushioned ear
guard while embracing substantial portions of the sides of
the victim's skull whereby the assembled collar prevents
rotation or side-to-side motion of the victim's head.
Thus, the assembled emergency medical cervical collar
prevents flexion and hyperextension of the cervical portion
of the victim's spine as well as rotation or side-to-side
motion of the victim's head.
To further immobilize the cervical portion of the
spine, strap fastener 74 is then wrapped around the
victim's head so as to traverse the forehead as shown in
Figure 7. The strap fastener end portion 80 is first
separated from end portion 78 and the strap fastener is
then looped around the victim's head, traversing the
victim's f^rehead. Pad 82 is positioned along the strap
fastener so as to locate at a central region of the
forehead as shown in Figure 8. The pad serves as a cushion
and also prevents the strap fastener from sliding on the
victim's forehead. The strap fastener end portion 80 is
then secured in a releasable interlock to end portion 78.
The cervical portion of the victim's spine is thus
more completely immobilized in a rapid and efficient manner
with minimal disturbance to the victim, all of which are
extremely important in an emergency medica~ situation. It
is also unnecessary to apply the evacuation board strap to
2271-16 (CIP 2) -13-
Il '~0~27
-~4-
the victim's forehead to prevent rotation or side-to-side
movement of the victim's head. However, should the
attending medic wish to use the evacuation board strap as
well, the strap (not shown) may be applied across the outer
friction surface 112 of pad 82. The outer surface of the
pad holds the evacuation board strap in position across the
victim's forehead.
Virtually the same procedure is used to assemble the
alternative embodiments of the emergency medical cervical
collar shown in Figures 9 and 11. In using the alternative
embodiment of the collar shown in Figure 9, the strap
fastener 74' is secured at one end to one of the swatches
of fastener material 104, 106 before the rear collar half
14' is applied to the back region of the victim's neck.
The strap ~astener 74' is extended to the cleared position
before the rear collar half 14' is slipped behind the
victim's head. Thereafter, the same steps are followed to
draw, align and couple the collar halves 12, 14' together.
The strap fastener 74' is then looped around the victimts
head so as to traverse the forehaad, and the free end
portion of the strap fastener is then secured in a
releasable interlock to the other swatch of fastener
material.
In ~lsing the alternative embodiment of the collar
shown in Figure 11, the strap fastener 74'' is looped back
on itself and is swiveled to the cleared position before
the rear collar half 14'' is slipped behind the victim's
head. Thereafter, the same steps are followed to draw,
align and couple the collar halves 12, 14'' together. The
strap fastener end portions 78'', 80'' are then separated
and the strap fastener is then looped around the victim's
head so as to traverse the forehead. The free end portion
of the strap fastener is drawn through guide loop 124,
folded back and pulled so as to draw the strap fastener
2271-16 (CIP 2) -14-
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~aut. As the strap fastener is being pulled taut, the
guide 120 rotates or swivels on rivet 122 to align properly
with the strap fastener. The strap fastener material at
end portion 80'' is then secured in a releasable interlocX
to the mating fastener material on the same face of the
strap fastener.
In all embodiments of the rear collar half 14, 14',
14'' and strap fastener 74, 74', 74'', the strap fastener
secures the victim's head against rotation or side-to-side
movement. Thus, the strap fastener overlaps the collar
halves along the victim's ear region thereby ~ecuring the
collar end portions against the sides of the victim's head
while also overlapping and securing the victim's forehead.
The emergency medical cervical collar 10 is believed
to significantly advance the art by providing a cervical
collar which can be rapidly assembled with the collar
halves properly aligned and with minimal disturbance to the
victim. The collar 10 more completely immobilizes the
cervical portion of the victim's spine, preventing flexion,
hyperextension and rotation or side-to-side movement of the
victim's head whereby the victim can be safely transported
from the accident scene to the hospital for further
treatment.
It should be appreciated that if each collar half is
reinforced with a thin rigid outer layer of polyethylene,
as previously mentioned, the support members 36, 68 may be
dispensed with. The strap fastener guides 44, 46 (Figure
4) and 120 (Figure 11) may then be coupled directly to the
collar half bodies, and the strap fasteners 74, 84 (Figure
2) may be coupled directly to the rear collar half body.
In each embodiment disclosed herein, the front collar
half support member 36 may be provided with a tab structure
114 (Figure 4) and the rear collar half support membex 68
may be provided with a like tab structure 116 (Figure 2) to
2271-16 (CIP 2) -15--
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accommodate a cervical stabilizer (not shown) as described
in Patent No. 4,515,153. The cervical stabilizer can be
applied to the victim at the hospital site.
The material composition of the emergency medical
cervical collar 10 allows the collar to be used efficiently
in water rescue operations. Since the body portions of
each collar half are water resistant and buoyant, the
collar halves may be placed at ready, floating near the
victim, while the medic holds and orients the victim. The
rear collar half can then be withdrawn from the water and
placed behind the victim' 5 neck region to help buoy the
victim's neck thereby helping to stabilize the cer~ical
portion of the victim's spine and facilitating application
of the front collar half. The collar may then be quickly
assembled as previously described with minimal disturbance
to the victim while the victim remains in water.
The material composition of the emergency medical
cervical collar 10 also allows the victim to be X-rayed
with the collar assembled in place on the victim. Thuss
the collar 10 need not be disassembled and removed to
enable X-rays to be taken whereby the cervical portion of
the victim's spine can remain immobilized without further
disturbance to the victim during ths X-ray procedure.
Referring to Figures 12 through 14, a front collar
half 12' and rear collar half 14''' are disclosed according
to the present invention. The front collar 12' is
specifically directed to the accommodation of patients with
unusually stout necks (as large as approximately 23 inch
circumference). The rear collar half 1~''' is specifically
directed to the accommodation of patients with unusually
thin necks (as small as approximately 11 inch
circumference).
Referring to Figure 12, front collar half 12'
comprises a generally U-shaped body 16' having end portions
2271-16 (CIP 2) -16-
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18' and 20' extendiny from bight portion 22'. The body is
preferably made from the same soft, flexible, lightweight,
non-toxic, water resistant and buoyant material as those
disclosed previously. The body is provided with a
reinforcing laminate of a rela-tively rigid polymeric
plastic material such as polyethylene to provide rigidity
for the collar. The top edges 26', 28' of end portions
18', 20' extend from bight portion 22' so that the upper
regions of the end portions 18', 20' embrace the patient's
~awbone when the collar is in place. The upper end of the
bight portion 22' is shaped to provide a chin cavity and
chin support 30'. A covering 32' from a material such as
moleskin is adhesively or otherwise secured on the inner
surface of the chin support.
Front collar half 12' is provided with an opening 34'
at the bight portion, below the level of the chin support~
The opening provides access to the tracheal region of the
person's neck to enable an emergency tracheotomy to be
performed at the accident scene if necessary as described
in U.S. Patent No. 4,677,969. The opening also provides
ventilation at the neck region. A slit 35 extends from
opening 34' to the bottom edge of the collar half. The
slit 35 enables the collar half to expand radi~lly, so as
to accommodate a wide range of large neck circumferences
such as 23 inches. The collar half can accommodate neck
circumferences ranging ~rom 17 to 23 inches. A strap
faskener 126 and guide 128 are attached to the b:ight
portion o~ the collar half on opposites sides of slit 35.
The strap fastener 126 has mating Velcro fastener portions
on one side thereof. The strap fastener is threaded
through guide 128 and folded back on itself to secure the
collar half at the region of slit 35. This prevents
further expansion of slit 35, and firmly secures front
collar half 12' to the contour of the patient's neck
2271-16 (CIP 2) -17-
~3Q~ ~2 ~
-18-
region. ThosQ skilled in the art will clearly recognize
that any suitable fastening means such as an ad~ustable
buckle, snaps or the like, can be utilized to perform the
same Eunction.
Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the rear collar half
14/'' comprises a U-shaped body 52 as already disclosed
with respect to rear collar halves 14, 14' and 14''. Rear
collar half 14''' is provided with two slits 130, 132 on
opposite sides of the rigid support member 68. The slits
operate as partial hinges, which make the rear collar half
14''' more pliable and flexible, and enable the rear collar
half to be fitted securely on patients with a small neck
circumference such as 11 inches. However, the rear collar
half can accommodate neck circumferences ranging from ll to
23 inches.
Referring to Figures 15 and 16, an alternate
embodiment 200 of the front collar half is illustrated.
Front half 200 is substantially the same as front half 12
illustrated in Figures 1, 4 and 5-8 except as noted below.
Rigid reinforcing support member 36 is provided with an
elongated slot 202 located along each lateral edge portion
204 of member 36 (only one shown). A strap fastener guide
206 having a loop 50 is anchored to body 16, i.e. via
plastic rivet 42, and passes through slot 202 whsreby a
strap 84 (in phantom in Figure 16) is passed through loop
50 as described above.
Referring to Figures 17 and 18, an alternate
embodiment 250 of the collar is illustrated. Collar 250 is
substantially as described above except as noted below.
Front collar half 252 has a rigid reinforcement support
member 36, as described above with regard to front half
200. Member 36 is provided with elongated slot 202 which
is located along each la-teral edge portion 204 of member
36. A strap fastener 254 having Velcro~ loops 256 and
2271-16 (CIP 2) -18-
~ 3 ~ 2 7
hooks 258 is anchored through each slot 202 in a
conventional manner. The rear collar half 260 (See Figure
18) includes a rigid support member 68 which is secured
thereon as described above. A pair of strap fasteners
guides 46 are anchored to member 68 via a fa5tener, such as
plastic rivet 42. Each strap fastener guide 46 includes a
loop 50. Each strap fastener 254 anchored to front collar
half 252 is passed through its corresponding loop 50 and
then secured to itself as described above.
Referring to Figures 19 and 20, an alternate
embodiment 300, a pediatric collar, of the present
invention is illustrated. The front collar half 302 and
rear collar half 304 are substantially as disclosed above
except as noted below, and are smaller than those collars
used for adults. Front half 302 includes a rigid support
member 306 secured thereto as described above. Member 306
does not have a tracheotomy opening as described above, but
can be modified to include one. Velcro~ loop fasteners
straps 308 are secured to the front half 302 adjacent the
free end 310 of front half 302 in a conventional manner,
such as by stitching 312. Straps 308 lie against the front
half 302 and are joined together across the bight 314 of
half 302 by a non-elastic, plastic coated cloth material
316 shaped as a bow tie.
The rear collar half 304 does not have a rigid
reinforcement member; such are not needed in pediatric
applications because a child's head weighs only a few
pounds and the foam material has sufficient strength to
support that weight. Strap fastener guides 46 are anchored
directly onto rear collar half 304 via a fastener, such as
plastic rivet 42. Each yuide has a loop 50. A strap 318
is anchored to each loop 50 and has a Velcro~ hook portion
320 affixed to a non-elastic, plastic coated cloth material
portion 322 in a conventional manner, such as by stitching
2271-16 (CIP 2) -19-
.
13~ ~2'~
-20-
324. Hook portion 320 overlaps and is secured to strap 308
as described above by securing khe front and rear halves
together.
The present invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from the spirit or
essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference
should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the
foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the
invention.
2271-16 (CIP 2) -20-
