ES2237303B1 - ORTHOPEDIC CERVICAL COLLARIN HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Adjustable height orthopedic cervical collar. The invention relates to a cervical collar of the type comprising two flexible bands (1, 3) with padded edges (2, 4). The bands (1, 3) are twisted together and wrapped around the patient's neck, adjusted by means of closure (5). Devices of mutual solidarity of said bands (1, 3) allow adjusting the height of the collar, maintaining a stretching force of the cervical spine. Each solidarity device comprises rigid supports (6, 7) firmly supported on the flexible bands (1, 3) and joined together by a mechanism (8) for adjusting and maintaining the distance that separates them. Said mechanism (8) comprises arms (9, 10) and a cursor (11) that governs the mutual sliding of said arms, and has a locking position capable of maintaining a significant extension force.

Description

Orthopedic cervical collar height adjustable.

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a cervical collar height-adjustable orthopedic, of the type comprising a band flexible top consisting of a top edge and a band flexible bottom consisting of a bottom edge, being intended said upper and lower edges to be applied, when the collar is in its use position around the neck of a patient, the upper edge over the chin and jaw of the patient and the lower edge over the clavicles and the region upper chest of the patient, further comprising said collar at least one mutual solidarity device of said upper and lower flexible bands and means of closure of said upper and lower flexible bands on each other same.

State of the art

Numerous types of collars are known Orthopedic cervical indicated for the treatment of lesions of the cervical spine These known collars are intended mainly to immobilize and maintain the cervical spine after of trauma and are available in various forms more or less sophisticated. Most of them are adjustable in height, so that they can adapt to the physiognomy of the patient. To do this, in general, they comprise several moving parts each other that can stand in the desired position once that the collar has been adjusted around the patient's neck. In In particular, collars of the type indicated at principle, comprising two flexible bands enmangado one in other and that wrap around the patient's neck, closing them by their ends and solidarity in height by means of a solidarity device that is normally a closure of Velcro® type.

These known collars allow immobilization satisfactorily the cervical spine, but nevertheless they do not allow exert a significant and controlled extension force on this, with which its application as a kinesiological treatment is limited Known collars therefore have the disadvantage of that are not suitable for a reeducational or preventive treatment of cervical problems

Summary of the invention

The invention aims to overcome these inconvenience This purpose is achieved through a collar height-adjustable orthopedic cervical of the type indicated by principle, characterized in that said solidarity device mutual of said upper and lower flexible bands comprises a first rigid support firmly supported on said flexible band upper and a second rigid support firmly supported on said lower flexible band, said first and second supports being rigidly joined together by an adjustment mechanism and maintenance of the distance that separates them. You get a simple and inexpensive collar that can be used satisfactorily for purposes of reeducation of the cervical posture or of prevention of cervical problems, since it allows to apply a stretching of the cervical spine by pressing at the mandibular level and of the trapezoids. In addition, the collar according to the invention can comprise a plurality of said solidarity devices mutual of their flexible bands, each of these comprising a set of said rigid supports joined by said mechanism of adjustment, so that it allows the kinesitherapist or himself patient regulate the height of the collar at different points and by therefore regulate the stretching force applied on the column cervical.

Preferably, said adjustment mechanism and maintenance of the distance that separates said first and second rigid supports comprises a first arm supporting it with said first rigid support and a second integral arm with said second rigid support, said arms being able to suffer a relative mutual sliding in the direction of the height of the collar, and a manually operated cursor whose movement is is mechanically linked to said relative mutual sliding of said arms, where said cursor has a position of blocking of said relative mutual sliding. By cursor, you must understood as a manually movable mechanical element according to a linear or rotary stroke in correspondence with the aforementioned relative mutual sliding of said arms. This arrangement Preferred allows the kinesitherapist or the patient to adjust easily the local height of the collar through the cursor after having placed the collar around the patient's neck, then placing said cursor in its locked position to keep the local height adjusted.

Advantageously, said cursor, in its position of blocking the relative mutual sliding of said arms, is apt to firmly maintain the relative mutual position of said arms against an external force tending to shorten the distance which separates said first rigid support from said second support rigid, that is, tending to shorten the height of the collar, where preferably said force is greater than or equal to 2 kg and more preferably it is greater than or equal to 4 kg. This way, you can apply and maintain a sufficient extension force for a therapeutic treatment, allowing an effective stretching of the cervical spine with a decompression of the cervical vertebrae and of the occipital area.

Advantageously, said cursor is rotatable, of way that occupies a small space and is more comfortable than drive.

Optionally, advantageously, said by less a device of mutual solidarity of these bands flexible upper and lower comprises an indicator of said force exterior tending to shorten the distance between said first rigid support of said second rigid support. This indicator is a dynamometer that allows the kinesitherapist to control the strength of extension applied at the level of each of said devices of mutual solidarity.

Advantageously, said upper flexible bands and lower include some support means capable of collaborating with said first and second rigid supports in a plurality of positions spread along the longitudinal direction of said upper and lower flexible bands. The kinesitherapist You can thus adapt the collar to each case by choosing the number and position of said mutual solidarity devices, and may adjust in each of these positions the height of the collar and the stretching force applied on the cervical spine.

Preferably, said support means consist in a plurality of holes distributed along the longitudinal direction of said upper flexible bands e lower. This solution allows you to simply fix the brackets rigid by screwing or riveting.

More preferably, the invention contemplates a alternative solution in which said support means consist of a first solidarity guide with said upper flexible band and a second supportive guide with said lower flexible band, said first and second guides having surfaces of butt support of said rigid supports. This advantageous solution allows to easily place the brackets in any position rigid, and therefore the corresponding devices of mutual solidarity. In addition, the position of said rigid supports can be easily done with the collar placed around the patient's neck, since they can slide freely in said guides as long as a force of separation. Once the position of the rigid supports is fixed, exert a force of separation or extension by means of mentioned cursor, so that these supports will be fixed in position due to their pressure on the support surfaces of the guides.

Advantageously, said means of support are are located next to said upper and lower edges of said upper and lower flexible bands and preferably are covered by padding of said upper edges and lower. This provision is suitable for effectively transmitting the force on said upper and lower edges that constitute the part of the collar the active contact with the patient. Padding prevents direct contact of said edges or said support means with the patient, so that the application of a force of extension is not painful or uncomfortable.

Preferably, all the components of the Orthopedic cervical collar according to the invention are of material plastic compatible with X-ray machines, so that X-rays of the cervical area can be performed with the collar placed and in active position.

Brief description of the drawings

Other advantages and features of the invention they are appreciated from the following description, in which, without no limitation, preferential modes of embodiment of the invention, mentioning the drawings that are accompany. The figures show:

Fig. 1, a perspective view of a collar according to a first embodiment of the invention, where flexible upper and lower bands are separated and open.

Fig. 2, a perspective view of the collar of Fig. 1 with the upper and lower flexible bands wound and closed.

Fig. 3, a view of the collar of Figs. 1 and 2 in position of use.

Fig. 4, a partial sectional view of a collar according to a second embodiment of the invention, which it is in all equal to the first except that it includes some guides for the support of rigid supports.

Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

The orthopedic cervical collar shown in the Figs. 1 to 3 consists of two flexible I bands, a superior 1 and a lower one 3, consisting respectively of edges padded upper 2 and lower 4 intended to be applied, in the position of use of the collar, on the chin, the jaw, the clavicles and the upper chest region of the patient, as seen in Fig. 3. These bands 1, 3 have flexibility in the longitudinal direction that allows you to wind them around the neck of a patient and adjust the collar to the appropriate diameter, closing it by the ends of said bands 1, 3 thanks to some closing means 5, which in this case are Velcro® type closures. In the transverse direction, these bands 1, 3 are relatively rigid for being of low height, so that they allow a correct patient cervical spine support.

The collar consists of three devices mutual solidarity of said bands 1, 3 that allow adjusting their height and exert a stretching force of the cervical spine simultaneously in three different positions: a central position anterior for stretching at the level of the chin and two symmetrical lateral positions for stretching at the level of the back area Obviously, the number of devices mutual solidarity can be anyone, without leaving the framework of the present invention.

Each of these solidarity devices comprises a first rigid support 6 firmly supported on the band flexible upper 1 and a second rigid support 7 supported firmly on the lower flexible band 3. These rigid supports 6, 7 are firmly attached to each other, although removably, by a mechanism 8 for adjusting and maintaining the distance that To stop. Said mechanism 8 comprises a first arm 9 integral with said first rigid support 6, a second arm 10 integral with said second rigid support 7 and a cursor 11. In this example of embodiment, rigid supports 6 and 7 are plates that form part of arms 9 and 10, extending them respectively by their extremes The rigid supports or plates 6, 7 are screwed on selected positions in flexible bands 1, 3, through holes made along the longitudinal direction of these bands. In Fig. 2 they are represented in a stroke discontinuous these plates 6, 7 together with their fixing screws, but the other unoccupied holes of the bands 1, 3. As can be seen in this figure, plates 6, 7 and their fixing screws are arranged next to the edges 2, 4 of the flexible bands and are covered by padding 16, 17 of said edges.

The first arm 9 is an elongated hollow box of rectangular section that incorporates the cursor 11. Said cursor 11 is rotary and extends axially through an inner pinion to said box (not visible in the figures). The second arm 10 has the  shape of a fork with one of its toothed branches and is enmanga inwardly 5 on the first arm 9. The serrated branch of the fork 10 is engaged with the pinion of the cursor 11, so that the rotary movement of said cursor 11 is mechanically linked to the relative mutual sliding of the arms 9, 10, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 3. Cursor 11, thanks to a spring and flange system, has a resting position in the which is locked. In this resting position, the cursor 11 keeps the relative mutual sliding of the arms locked 9, 10, being able to withstand a force of at least 4 kg in the direction tending to shorten the distance between rigid supports 6, 7, that is, tending to reduce the height of the collar. For unlock cursor 11, push on it by sinking it slightly against the action of the spring, being able then 5 actuate the cursor 11 in rotary motion to adjust the height of the collar and exert the desired stretching force of the cervical spine. The mentioned one has not been detailed in the figures spring and flange system for not being relevant to the invention and for being known by the expert the subject.

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment where the rigid brackets fixing system 6, 7 at 1, 3 bands by screwing has been replaced by a system of guides that allows you to position more easily and freely mutual solidarity devices. A first guide 12 solidarity with the upper flexible band 1 and a second guide 13 integral with the lower flexible band 3 allows 15 to move the supports rigid 6, 7 freely along bands 1, 3. When rotate cursor 11 to apply an extension force, supports 6, 7 are fixed thanks to the fact that they are fully supported by pressure on surfaces 14, 15 of said guides 12, 13.

In the two embodiments represented, bands 1, 3 with their guides 12, and also the devices of mutual solidarity of said bands 1, 3, which include the rigid supports 6, 7 and the adjustment mechanism 8 with its arms 9, 10 and cursor 11, are made of thermoplastics. The Choice of these materials makes it lightweight and compatible with X-ray machines. However, this is a feature optional of the invention. Indeed, others may be chosen materials, including metallic ones, without leaving the frame of The present invention.

Finally, it should be noted that although it has not been represented in the figures, the collar can be arranged advantageously of a dynamometer in each of the devices of mutual solidarity of flexible bands 1, 3, so that the force applied to the patient can be controlled. The dynamometer sensors can be placed, for example, interposed between rigid supports 6, 7 and arms 9, 10.

Claims (12)

1. Adjustable height orthopedic cervical collar, of the type comprising a top flexible band (1) consisting of an upper edge (2) and a lower flexible band (3) consisting of a lower edge (4), being intended said upper (2) and lower edges (4) to be applied, when the collar is in its position of use around a patient's neck, the upper edge (2) on the patient's chin and jaw and the lower edge ( 4) on the clavicles and the upper region of the patient's chest, said collar further comprising at least one mutual solidarity device of said upper (1) and lower (3) flexible bands and closure means (5) of said bands flexible upper (1) and lower (3) on themselves, characterized in that said mutual solidarity device of said upper (1) and lower flexible bands (3) comprises a first rigid support (6) firmly supported on said flexible band supe rior (1) and a second rigid support (7) firmly supported on said lower flexible band (3), said first and second rigid supports (6, 7) being firmly connected to each other by a mechanism (8) for adjusting and maintaining The distance that separates them. 2. Orthopedic cervical collar according to claim 1, characterized in that said distance adjustment and maintenance mechanism (8) separating said first and second rigid supports (6, 7) comprises a first arm (9) integral with said first rigid support (6) and a second arm (10) integral with said second rigid support (7), said arms (9, 10) being able to suffer a relative mutual sliding in the direction of the height of the collar, and a cursor (11) manually operable whose movement is mechanically linked to said relative mutual sliding of said arms (9, 10), wherein said cursor (11) has a blocking position of said relative mutual sliding. 3. Orthopedic cervical collar according to claim 2, characterized in that said cursor (11), in its position of blocking the relative mutual sliding of said arms (9, 10), is capable of firmly maintaining the relative mutual position of said arms (9 , 10) against an external force tending to shorten the distance separating said first rigid support (6) from said second rigid support (7), that is, tending to shorten the height of the collar. 4. Orthopedic cervical collar according to claim 3, characterized in that said outer force, tending to shorten the distance between said first rigid support (6) and said second rigid support (7), is greater than or equal to 2 kg. 5. Orthopedic cervical collar according to claim 4, characterized in that said outer force, tending to shorten the distance between said first rigid support (6) and said second rigid support (7), is greater than or equal to 4 kg. 6. Orthopedic cervical collar according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said cursor (11) is rotatable. 7. Orthopedic cervical collar according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said at least one mutual solidarity device of said upper (1) and lower (3) flexible bands comprises an indicator of said outer force tending to shorten the distance which separates said first rigid support (6) from said second rigid support (7). 8. Orthopedic cervical collar according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said upper (1) and lower (3) flexible bands comprise support means (12, 13) suitable for collaborating with said first and second rigid supports (6, 7 ) in a plurality of positions distributed along the longitudinal direction of said upper (1) and lower (3) flexible bands. 9. Orthopedic cervical collar according to claim 8, characterized in that said support means (12, 13) consist of a plurality of holes distributed along the longitudinal direction of said upper (1) and lower (3) flexible bands. 10. Orthopedic cervical collar according to claim 8, characterized in that said support means (12, 13) consist of a first guide (12) integral with said upper flexible band (1) and a second guide (13) integral with said flexible band bottom (3), said first and second guides (12, 13) having surfaces (14, 15) buttressing support for said rigid supports (6, 7). 11. Orthopedic cervical collar according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said support means (12, 13) are located next to said upper (2) and lower (4) edges of said upper flexible bands (1) and lower (3). 12. Orthopedic cervical collar according to claim 11, characterized in that said support means (12, 13) are covered by padding (16, 17) of said upper (2) and lower (4) edges.