Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-25
2001-04-10
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3733)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
C128SDIG008
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213967
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a neck supporting device.
There are all kinds of situations in everyday life in which the neck of a person can suffer strain. Such a situation may, for instance, occur during a collision between cars, in which a second car collides from the rear with a first car. The passengers of the first car are then at a considerable risk of contracting so-called whiplash. Basically, the body is adjusted to move forward at approximately 5 km per hour. At a movement above 5 km/hour the neck proves to be one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body. The collision from the rear accelerates the forward movement of the car, causing the passengers who are supported by the back rest of the seats also to be accelerated forward. In nearly all cases, however, the back of the head of the passenger is not supported by the back rest or a head rest. Due to the accelerated movement forward of the rest of the person's body the head will now move backward in relation to the body.
During this event great forces are exerted on the neck and the head of the passengers. These forces can cause considerable damage to the neck and head. This damage and the ensuing complaints are called whiplash. Preventing the occurrence of whiplash can avoid much suffering, discomfort and expense.
It is common practice to supply whiplash patients or patients suffering from other neck complaints with a firm, almost completely immobilizing neck collar to be worn around the throat and nape, in order to support the neck. However, this has an adverse effect on, for instance, the joints and muscles in the neck. Studies have shown that complete immobilization is not the proper treatment and than an early mobilization of the neck is very important for a successful treatment of whiplash. Another disadvantage is that such a collar is very much present. Thereby a patient's infirmity becomes obvious to his surroundings and his privacy is harmed.
Another situation in which a person's neck may be strained is when working behind a (computer) screen. This causes fatigue symptoms of the neck which after some time may lead to complaints requiring treatment. If these fatigue symptoms can be avoided, the complaints requiring treatment will also not occur.
There are known neck supporting devices in use, in which the neck support is held against the neck by means of straps which run from the neck, under the armpits to the back of a user. With such devices the throat is also enveloped for a large part, resulting in extensive immobilization of the neck, throat and head. In order to hold the neck/throat support firmly and supportingly against the body a considerable force has to be exerted on the straps. This means that a pressure is applied to the soft body parts of the throat, which is uncomfortable and may be harmful. The force exerted on the neck supporting device is further directed mainly to the sides of the user's body and not to the front, as would be desirable for proper support to the neck. Moreover, the configuration of these known devices results in a constricting pressure around the chest and under the armpits.
It is the object of the invention to solve the problems described above. To this end the invention provides a neck supporting device, comprising a neck support having two ends which, in use, are positioned at least approximately along the sides of the neck of a user, a waist strap which, in use, extends at least approximately around the waist of the user, and connecting means to connect the neck support with the waist strap.
Such a neck supporting device provides a good support to the neck and makes it possible that only a rearward movement of the neck is restricted without restricting other movements of the head and without any pressure on the throat.
In a preferred embodiment the connecting means comprise two strap portions which, in use, each from a separate end of the neck support, first cross over each other across the chest and then across the back of the user and can be reciprocally fastened at least approximately on the belly, simultaneously forming the waist strap. For a simple and quick fastening it is preferred that the strap portions of such an embodiment can be reciprocally fastened by means of a coupling device at least approximately on the belly of the user.
In another preferred embodiment the waist strap is a separate part of the neck support device, and the connecting means comprise two strap portions which, each from a separate end of the neck support, can be fastened to the waist strap. For a quick and simple fastening it is preferred that the two strap portions can be fastened to the waist strap jointly. To further improve the fastening it is preferred that the strap portions can be fastened to the waist strap by means of a coupling device.
In a favourable embodiment the tension in the strap portions is variable by means of an adjustment device, so that the force by which the neck support is held against the neck, and consequently the degree of possible rearward movement of the neck, can be varied.
In a particularly favourable embodiment the two strap portions can be reciprocally coupled by means of a clip member which, in use, is positioned at least approximately on the chest of the user. Such a clip member further improves the stability of the neck supporting device around the body of the user.
The clip member is preferably slidable over the strap portions. By sliding the clip member the course of the strap portions across the user and the forces exerted on the neck and/or throat of the user can then be varied as desired. In order to avoid unintended sliding of the clip member during use, it is preferable that the clip member can be fixed on the strap portions.
In order to ensure that the neck support retains its shape, it is preferred that the rear side of the neck support facing away from the body comprises a firm, flexible material. Due to this material the neck support will now provide optimal support to the neck while being able to adapt to the shape of the neck and the body movements.
It is preferred that the front side, rear side and upper side of the neck support coming into contact with the body, comprise a soft foam material. The neck support is thus able to adapt better to the shape of the neck and the head, and is extremely comfortable to wear.
In an advantageous embodiment the shape of the neck support is adapted to that of the neck. This shape further improves the supporting ability and comfort of the neck support.
It is preferred that the neck support is enveloped by a covering of textile material such as possibly towelling cotton. This material makes the feel of the neck support extremely comfortable during use and will not irritate the skin.
In a convenient embodiment the covering is in addition removable by means of closure means provided in the covering. This allows the covering surrounding the neck support to be removed for cleaning. It is also possible to use coverings of different color and/or pattern, for instance a color going with the clothing in order to render the device as inconspicuous as possible.
The closure means may be synthetic materials which adhere when pressed together, commonly sold under the trade name of VELCRO fastening or a zipper, which provide an efficient closure of the covering.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1850660 (1932-03-01), Coppel
patent: 3706310 (1972-12-01), Garnett
patent: 3850164 (1974-11-01), Hare
patent: 4141368 (1979-02-01), Meyer
patent: 4204529 (1980-05-01), Cochrane
patent: 4757554 (1988-07-01), Blair
patent: 4794917 (1989-01-01), O'leary
patent: 5056508 (1991-10-01), Brunell
patent: 5395306 (1995-03-01), Bauerfeind et al.
patent: 5409450 (1995-04-01), Donelson
patent: 5551081 (1996-09-01), Starnes et al.
Akerman & Senterfitt
Brown Michael A.
World Health Club S.A.
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