METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING POSITIONING A PERSON IN SUPINE SNIFF POSITION AND PROVIDING SCAPULAR RELIEF

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting the neck and head of a user for airway management includes a base support section with a sloping ramp for supporting the user's shoulders and back, where the base support section can rest on a resting surface (i.e., a surface on which the apparatus is positioned), a front side, two opposing sides and a back side with the sloping ramp extending from a front edge of the apparatus to a top head-receiving portion. In general, the apparatus can be made in different sizes for accommodating different individuals. In some embodiments, the base support section can have a width in a range of about 20 inches to about 30 inches, a depth in a range of about 16 to about 17 inches and a height in a range of about 12 to about 15 inches, though other sizes can also be employed.

Description

PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/861,859 filed on Jun. 14, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/836,558 filed on Apr. 19, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/824,203 filed on Mar. 26, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/772,492 filed on Nov. 28, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/769,869 filed on Nov. 20, 2018. The entire teachings of these earlier applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a head-positioning apparatus (herein also referred to as a pillow) that can support a user's head and neck and reduce the risk of acid reflux while sleeping in the supine position, allow for relief of pressure on the user's scapula and shoulders, and align the user's oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal axes for airway management while in the supine sniff position.

BACKGROUND

Obstructive breathing may occur during sleep, or sedation, most commonly in the supine position due to the effects of gravity on the tongue. To help alleviate this issue pillows have been developed to reduce airway obstruction in the supine position. For example, pillows aligning the patient airways have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,774 describes one method of opening the airways by aligning the oropharyngeal, laryngeal and tracheal axes by placing the patient into the “sniff” position, which has been determined to be the most effective positional method for improving the patency of the airway and, therefore, enhancing the volume and smoothness of the flow of air or oxygen into the patient and the flow of carbon dioxide out. These improvements in airflow have the potential to reduce user snoring and sleep apnea thus improving life quality for the user and their sleeping partners.

Conventional pillows typically employ a solid, single piece design made of foam (either cut or molded into shape) comprising a base for supporting a user's head and neck, where the base has a flat surface sloping up and away from a supporting surface to support the user's back, a neck support for supporting the user's neck and a head support having a center head supporting surface that slopes downwardly from the neck support towards the user's head. The head support and neck support are dimensioned to align the user's airways when the head and neck are positioned upon the support pillow.

However, there are shortcomings with such, and other conventional pillows. For example, such pillows may create excessive pressure on user's scapula and lower back and shoulder regions creating discomfort which may interfere with rest or sleep. In addition, users may have a tendency to slide down the ramping surface in the supine position. In addition, the current pillows are not configured to reduce the incidence of acid reflux that may occur in some users whilst sleeping in the supine position.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein address and overcome one or more of the above shortcomings and drawbacks, by providing methods, systems, and apparatuses that maintain, and preferably optimize, airway flow. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure can help eliminate acid reflux that some users experience while in the supine position and simultaneously reduce pressure on the user's scapula and lower shoulder areas, thereby improving comfort, rest and sleep, while helping inhibit the user from sliding down the pillow, e.g., sliding down a ramp configured to support the user's shoulders and back.

The support pillow can incorporate a sloping ramp support surface for supporting the user's back. In some embodiments, pillow can have cut-outs on the lateral sides of the sloped ramp surface for providing relief of pressure on the user's scapula and lower shoulder regions, thus providing better sleep or rest while incorporating anti-slide features that help inhibit the user from sliding down the ramp.

Further, in some embodiments, the support pillow can have cut-outs on the lateral sides of the sloped ramp surface for providing relief of pressure on the user's scapula and lower shoulder regions, thus providing better sleep or rest while incorporating anti-slide features that help inhibit the user from sliding down the ramp.

In some embodiment, an apparatus for supporting the neck and head of a user for airway management can include a bottom surface that can rest on a resting surface and a sloped ramp surface that extends from a front edge of the bottom surface to a top head receiving portion. The apparatus can further include two opposed lateral sides and a back side. In addition, in many embodiments, two scapula receptacles are disposed on the left and right side of the sloped ramp surface for at least partially receiving the user's scapulae. In general, the apparatus can be made in different sizes for accommodating different individuals. In some embodiments, each side of the bottom surface of the apparatus can have a dimension in a range of about 20 inches to about 30 inches and the apparatus can have a height in a range of about 12 inches to about 15 inches.

In some embodiment, the front side of the apparatus can include a shoulder receiving area with a sloped ramp support surface for supporting the user's back which slopes upwards, and away from the front edge of the apparatus at an angle of at least 150 and no more than 450 relative to a bottom surface of the pillow, e.g., a surface of the pillow configured for positioning on a resting surface, and towards the head/neck support section at the top or apex of the pillow. In other words, when the pillow is resting on a resting surface, the ramp can form an angle of at least 150 and no more than 450 relative to the bottom surface of the apparatus, which can be positioned on a resting surface.

In one embodiment, the sloped ramp support surface can have cutouts or scapula receptacles on either side of the midline of the sloped ramp support surface for at least partially receiving the user's scapulae. In some embodiments, such scapular receptacles can be from about 3 inches and up to about 14 inches in length with the width of the scapula receptacles in a range from about 2 inches up to about 12 inches. In some embodiments, the width of the scapular receptacle cutouts can be in a range of about 2 to about 7 inches with the upper edges of said scapula receptacles being within a range of about 1 inch and to 8 inches from the top, or apex, of the sloped ramped support surface; such dimensions being congruent with the location of the user's scapula when the user's back is resting on the pillow ramp. In some embodiments, the scapula receptacles can be up to four inches in depth. It is understood that the size and location of the scapula receptacles can be varied with differing user morphologies. As noted above, the front side of the pillow can have a surface that slopes upwards and away from a resting surface underneath the apparatus on which the apparatus is disposed and upwards towards the head/neck support surface at the apex of the pillow.

In one embodiment, the sloped ramp support surface can include ridges, e.g., straight ridges, that are cut or otherwise formed into the sloped ramp support surface. In some such embodiments, such ridges can be perpendicular to the sides of the sloped surface. In some embodiments, the sloped ramp support surface can have “V-shaped” ridges cut or otherwise formed therein. In some embodiments, such ridges can form an angle between 100 to 750 relative to a line parallel to the base (bottom surface) of the apparatus.

In some embodiments, such ridges can provide sufficient friction for preventing a user's back from sliding down the sloped ramp support surface. In some embodiments, in addition to or instead of such ridges, a sheet having a non-slip surface can be placed over at least a portion of the sloped ramp support surface to inhibit the user from sliding down the sloped ramp support surface.

The head/neck support area can be formed or cut into the apex of the pillow and can be generally oval or round in shape having a depth ranging between about ½ inches to about 6 inches and a maximum width of about 14 inches, though other sizes can also be employed. In other embodiments, the head/neck support area can be rectilinear in shape but conforming to the same dimensions and can be cut or otherwise formed into the apex of the pillow.

Additionally or alternatively, the sloped ramp support surface can include a plurality of undulations, e.g., a waffle-like pattern, that can be cut or otherwise formed into the sloped ramp surface to inhibit a user from sliding down the surface. The waffle-like pattern can partially or fully cover the support surface.

Further, a sheet formed, for example, of a natural and/or synthetic fabric can be at least partially draped over the sloped ramp surface to inhibit a user from sliding down the surface. Further, the sheet can be attached to the surface using a variety of different mechanisms. By way of example, the sheet can be attached to the surface using mechanical methods (e.g., gluing or molding it in place). Additionally or alternatively, the sheet can be formed of a synthetic and/or a natural material, such as polyester, rayon, cotton, silk, wool or a combination of these materials. The friction between the material from which the sheet is formed and the sloped ramp surface, and the user's back can inhibit the user from sliding down the sloped ramp surface.

The head/neck support section can have a receiving surface that is of sufficient depth to receive the user's head. For example, the head/neck support section can have an oval shape with one side being straight or one side being curved but with a differing radius from the other sides, with the straight or curved part facing the front of the apparatus and having the neck support surface. Further, the top surface of the head/neck support section can have a neck support for supporting the neck and a head support surface which slopes downwardly from the neck support towards the head end and towards the center of said head support surface. The back and sides of head/neck support section can be round or elliptical in shape where the sides of the head support surface can slope downwardly and away from its edges towards the center of the head support section.

Further, the front sides of the head/neck support section can include a front left neck supporting surface which slopes downwardly towards an occipital connecting line and a front right neck supporting surface which slopes downwardly towards an occipital connecting line, where the left and right neck supporting surfaces jointly create a raised neck supporting surface with the middle of the neck supporting surface being lower than the outside portions of the neck supporting surface. The occipital connecting line can be a putative line that both bisects the midpoint of the neck support surface and the user's occiput when the user's head is positioned in the pillow. Head and neck support surfaces and front neck support surface can be dimensioned to align the oropharyngeal, the laryngeal and tracheal axes of the human upper airway into the sniff position in which the user's Occipito-Atlanto-Axial joint is adjusted to between about 500 and 300 of extension.

The pillow can be generally polygonal in shape, while the head/neck support section cut or otherwise formed into the apex of the pillow can be generally oval in shape. Alternatively or additionally, the head/neck support section can be rectilinear in shape or partially oval and partially rectilinear in shape. In some embodiments, the raised neck support surface on the front side of the head/neck support section can have a generally oval or elliptical shape and may extend from the front left side of the head receiving surface to the right side of the head receiving surface (and vice versa) with the occipital connecting line being lower than the highest point of the left or right side of the raised neck supporting section.

Further, the scapula receptacles disposed on the lateral sides of the sloped ramp support surface can be shaped and designed to accommodate the user's scapula and lower shoulders and provide pressure relief to these body parts. The scapula receptacles cut or otherwise formed in the pillow can comprise any suitable shape, for example oval, triangular, trapezoidal or any polygonal, or other suitable shape.

Furthermore, the pillow can have a sloped ramp support surface that slopes up and away from the front edge of the pillow at an angle of between about 150 and about 450 relative to the plane of a bottom surface of the pillow, where the angle can be sufficient to elevate the neck/back of the user and reduce the risk of acid reflux. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the sloped ramp support surface, from the front edge of the ramp to a plane at the front edge of the head/neck support surface, which can be parallel to the support surface, can be between about 12-24 inches in length, which is of sufficient length to support a user's back and shoulders. Generally, the length of the sloped ramp support surface can be varied according to differing user sizes and morphologies.

In some embodiments, the pillow can be constructed of non-allergenic materials such as EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), urethane foam, latex foam or memory foam and can be shaped or molded. For example, the distance between the neck supporting surface at the occiput connecting line and the bottom of the head supporting surface can be approximately about 2-6 inches and can vary by the size desired to fit the morphology of the user.

In some aspects, an apparatus for supporting and maintaining the head and neck of a user in a supine sniff position is disclosed, which includes a head receiving portion having a sloped surface for receiving a user's head and a sloped ramp surface that extends from a front edge of the apparatus to said head receiving portion for supporting the user's back when the user's head is received in said head receiving portion. At least one scapula receiving cut-out is provided on at least one lateral side of the sloped ramp surface for at least partially receiving the user's scapula.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of a pillow for facilitating the supine sniff position, facilitating airway management, reducing pressure in the scapula and/or the lower shoulder regions of a user and assisting in preventing the user from sliding down the sloped ramp portion. Together with the descriptions, the figures further serve to explain the principles of the pillow described herein and thereby enable a person skilled in the applicable art to make the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a plan schematic view of a pillow according to an embodiment of the present teachings,

FIG. 1B is a schematic front view of the pillow depicted in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1C is a schematic side view of the pillow depicted in FIG. 1A,

FIGS. 1-E and 1D schematically depict examples of a head receiving section of the pillow depicted in FIG. 1A,

FIG. 1F is a schematic sectional view of the pillow depicted in FIG. 1A illustrating a plurality of ridges disposed on the sloped ramp surface for inhibiting the slippage of a user supported by that surface,

FIG. 1G schematically depicts a pillow according to an embodiment, which includes a plurality of waffle-like undulations on a sloped ramp surface thereof for inhibiting the slippage of a user supported on that surface,

FIG. 1H is a schematic side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1G,

FIG. 1I schematically depicts an embodiment of a pillow in which an anti-slippage sheet covers at least a portion of the sloped ramp surface,

FIG. 1J schematically depicts an embodiment of a pillow according to the present teachings, which includes a plurality of V-shaped ridges on a sloped ramp surface thereof for inhibiting, and preferably preventing, the slippage of a user supported by that surface,

FIG. 1K is a plan view of a pillow according to an embodiment, depicting dimensions of various features of the pillow, and

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C provide side and section views of the pillow depicted in FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals will indicate like elements. While specific configurations are discussed it should be noted that this is for illustrative purposes. The present invention relates to a pillow for aligning the oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal axes and the extension of the Occipito-Atlanto-Axial joint, together with flexion of the lower cervical spine for airway management with the user in the supine position while providing a convenient and cost-effective way to provide differing sizes of pillows to accommodate widely varying patient morphologies. Airway management involves adjusting the patient's head and neck for improved ventilation and respiration. By improving the position of a user's head and neck, the user can experience improved sleep, rest, oxygenation and ventilation and avoid airway obstruction and airflow turbulence that may result, for example, in snoring. A conventional pillow for aligning the upper airways of the human head and neck while in the supine position has certain shortcomings, which the current invention addresses. For example, a conventional pillow can be of uniform monolithic design with a flat sloped ramping surface, which may cause discomfort to the user, specifically in the scapula and lower shoulder areas. This can in turn prevent the user from resting or sleeping comfortably. In addition, the user may slide down the sloped ramp surface preventing comfortable use of the pillow. The current disclosure addresses, among others, these shortcomings.

Various terms are used herein in accordance with their ordinary meanings. The term “about” as used herein denotes a variation of at most 10% around a numerical value. A substantial alignment of oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal axes as used herein means that an angle formed between any two of these axes is in a range of 00 and about 300 with the Occipito-Atlanto-Axial joint having an angle of between about 50 and about 300 when a user's head and neck are positioned in the apparatus.

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E,1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, and 1K, a pillow (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, which allows alignment of the user's head and neck into the sniff position with a sloped ramp support surface, which includes scapula receptacles to relieve pressure on user's shoulder blades and upper back and anti-slide ridges or notches cut or otherwise formed into that surface to prevent users from sliding down the surface. The scapula receptacles can cooperate synergistically with the placement of a user in a supine sniff position to improve the user's ventilation and oxygenation. In particular, the scapula receptacles can help pull the user's shoulders back, and open up the user's chest to improve ventilation and oxygenation, thus further enhancing the improved ventilation and oxygenation afforded by placement of the user in a supine sniff position.

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, one embodiment of pillow (100), which can rest on a resting surface (not shown), includes a sloped ramp support surface (101) and comprises a head/neck support section (102) cut or otherwise formed into the apex or crest of pillow (100). Head/neck support section (102) has head support receiving portion (103′) having a head support surface (103) with front neck support ridge (104), which cooperatively help position the user's airways into the sniff position. Pillow (100) can be made of various materials including, among other polymeric materials, polyurethane foam, EVA, latex foam, memory foam or other similar materials with features cut out or formed into it.

FIG. 1A illustrates a plan view of pillow (100) comprising sloped ramp surface (101), head/neck support section (102), head receiving area (103) and front ridge neck support ridge (104), with scapula receptacles (105) and anti-slide ridges (106) cut or otherwise formed into sloped ramp support surface (101).

FIG. 1B is a front view of pillow (100) comprising sloped ramp surface (101) having anti-slide ridges (106) cut or otherwise formed into said surface, scapula receptacles (105) formed on the lateral sides of the sloped ramp surface, and head neck support section (102) with front neck support ridge (104) cut or otherwise formed at the apex or crest of pillow (100). In some embodiments, the scapula receptacles can be positioned between about 1 inch to about 8 inches from the crest or top of the pillow.

As shown in FIG. 1C, which is a side view of pillow 100, sloped ramp surface (101) can comprise an inclined surface. Anti-slide ridges (106) can be formed in a variety of different ways, e.g., they can be cut or otherwise formed into sloped ramp surface (101). The head/neck support section (102), which can be formed (e.g., cut) into the apex or crest of pillow (100), can include a neck support ridge (104) at the front portion thereof for supporting a user's neck. Sloped ramp surface (101) can facilitate inspiration by taking the center of gravity of the weight of the chest and abdomen away from the lung/diaphragm functional unit, as well as decreasing the problem of gastrointestinal reflux. As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1E, in this embodiment, the sloped ramp surface (101) can form an angle θ with respect to a bottom surface (109) of the pillow, which can rest on a resting surface. In some embodiments, the angle θ can be between about 15 degrees to about 30 degrees, though other angles can also be used. Further, an angle α formed by the intersection of the sloped ramp surface (101), and a plane (111) formed by the neck support ridge (104), and the head receiving area (103) can be, for example, in a range of about 15 degrees to about 60 degrees to help place the user's cervical spine and head in the correct position relative to the thoracic and lumbar spine.

In this embodiment, the ridges (106) can be straight, in other embodiments, the ridges (106) can have other forms. For examples, FIG. 1J schematically depicts an example of a pillow (100′) according to the present disclosure, which includes V-shaped ridges (106′) disposed on a ramp surface (101′) thereof. While in these embodiments the ridges are uniformly spaced relative to one another, in other embodiments, they can be non-uniformly spaced relative to one another.

Further, in some embodiments, other features can be used in addition to, or instead of, the ridges to ensure that a user (e.g., a patient) will not slip down the sloped ramp surface. For example, FIG. 1G shows an embodiment of a pillow (100) that includes the sloped ramp support surface (101) with scapula receptacles (105) cut out or otherwise formed in the pillow at lateral sides of the sloped ramp support surface (101). As discussed above, the sloped ramp support surface (101) can provide pressure relief to a user's scapula and lower shoulder areas. As shown, a plurality of undulations, e.g., waffle-like indents and/or outdents (112), can be provided on the sloped ramp surface (101), e.g., cut or otherwise formed in the surface, to inhibit, and preferably prevent, a user from sliding down the sloped ramp surface. In some embodiments, an average height of the undulations can be, for example, in a range of about ½ inches to about 3 inches. Axis E-E can provide a sectional view of the anti-slip undulations formed in the sloped ramp surface (101). For example, the waffle-like undulations can be formed of a convoluted polymer, such as, polyurethane, elastic polyurethane or latex.

FIG. 1I shows a front view of one embodiment of the pillow 100 in which a sheet (113), which can be formed of a natural and/or synthetic fabric, can cover at least a portion of the sloped ramp surface (101). The fabric sheet (113) can be glued or otherwise attached to the sloped ramp surface (101) along an upper edge (114) of the fabric (113) and/or can be attached to the sloped ramp surface in other ways. Alternatively or additionally, one or more edges of the fabric (113) can be molded into the sloped ramp surface. The fabric sheet can be preferably formed of a material that can help maintain a user on the sloped ramp surface without slippage. By way of example, some suitable materials from which the fabric sheet (113) can be formed can include, without limitation, silk, nylon, rayon, cotton, wool or any combination of these materials.

FIG. 1B shows a front view of one embodiment of pillow 100 that includes sloped ramp support surface (101) with scapula receptacles (105) cut out or otherwise formed in the pillow at lateral sides of the sloped ramp support surface (101). The sloped ramp support surface (101) can provide pressure relief to a user's scapular and lower shoulder areas. Further, anti-slip ridges (106), which can be cut or otherwise formed into sloped ramp surface (101), can inhibit, and preferably prevent, a user, from sliding down the sloped ramp support surface (101).

FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of one embodiment of pillow (100) that includes sloped ramp surface (101) with anti-slip ridges (106). Head/neck support section (102) can be cut or otherwise formed into the apex or crest of pillow (100) with front support ridge (104) at the front of said section.

With reference to FIG. 1D, which illustrates details and a sectional view of head/neck support section (102) along axis B-B, the head/neck support section (102) can include a head receiving portion (103′) having a head support surface (103), which slopes downwardly and away from an outer edge (103″) of the head receiving portion (103′) and towards the bottom of the head receiving portion. Front neck support ridge (104) and occiput connecting line (107) work together with head support surface (103) in aligning the user's airways into the sniff position. It can be seen that the depth and size of head support surface (103) and the depth of the neck support at occiput connecting line (107) relative to the outer edges of neck support ridge (108) as well as the size of neck support ridge (104) can be varied. By varying the dimensions of these features it can be seen that the dimensions of features of the head/neck support sections can be varied to fit many user morphologies. In some embodiments, the neck support ridge (104) can have a width in a range of about 4 to about 12 inches while the head receiving portion (103′) can have a diameter in a range of about four to twelve inches. Further, the head receiving portion (103′) can have a substantially oval cross-sectional shape, in other embodiments, it can have other shapes, e.g., a circular shape.

FIG. 1E is a side view of line c-c (FIG. 1A) and shows head/neck support section (102) having head support surface (103), which slopes downwardly and away from the edges of said surface and towards the user's head. Front neck support ridge (104) is at front side of head support surface (103). Occipital connecting line (107) bisects front neck support ridge (104) and defines the lowest point on front neck support ridge (104).

FIG. 1F, a sectional view along axis A-A, depicts the sloped ramp surface (101) having anti-slip ridges (106) cut or otherwise formed into pillow. As shown, the sloped ramp surface (101) can form an angle θ in a range of about 150 and 300 with the front edge of the pillow and a bottom surface (109) of the pillow 100.

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C depict an embodiment of a pillow 200 according to embodiments disclosed herein. As shown, while in use, the pillow rests on a resting surface (202). User A is shown with head positioned in pillow (200), user's neck B is positioned on front neck support ridge (205) with occipital contact line (208) bisecting the center of front neck support ridge (205); the back sides of head C are supported on surface (207), which slopes downwardly and away from front neck support surface (204). Axis D-D represents the oropharyngeal axis, axis E-E represents the laryngeal axis, and axis F-F represents the tracheal axis. Due to the slope of the head support surface (207) and its relationship with the front neck support ridge (205), lateral movement of the user's head can be facilitated and automatic positioning of the user into the sniff position can be accomplished. As a result of the orientation of surfaces (207), (204) and (208) axes E-E, T-T and L-L can be aligned so as to place the user into the sniff position. Because head support surface (207) slopes downwardly from front neck ridge (205) the Occipito-Atlanto-Axial joint is extended upwards and head C is angled downwardly towards the support surface to align head C and neck B of the user into the sniff position via alignment of airways E-W, T-T and L-L. When user head C is positioned as shown, the Occiput H of the user's skull is in line with Occipital connecting line (208), which bisects front neck support ridge (205), with the head C contacting sloped support surface (207) that keeps the user in the sniff position. Anti-slip ridges (209) cut or otherwise formed into the pillow at the lateral sides of the sloped ramp support surface (209) help prevent the user from sliding down the sloped support surface. Further, the scapula receptacles (211) help relieve pressure and stress on user's scapula and lower shoulder regions.

A pillow according to the invention can be made in a variety of different sizes so as to accommodate different individuals. By way of example, with reference to FIG. 1K, in some embodiments, the head receiving portion (103′) can have an inner diameter on a top portion thereof in a range of about 4 to about 12 inches. Further, the neck supporting ridge (102) can have a width (NW) in a range of about 4 inches to about 12 inches. The ridge (102) can have a thickness (NT) in a range of about ½ inches to about 2 inches, and height above the edge of the head receiving portion in a range of about ½ inches to about 4 inches. Further, each of the scapula receptacles can have a length (SL) in a range of about 3 inches to about 14 inches and width (a dimension perpendicular to length) in a range of about 2 to about 12 inches and a depth (SD) in a range of about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches. In some embodiments, each scapula receptacle is separated from the top of the apparatus by a distance (SL) in a range of about 1 to about 8 inches.

As discussed above, an apparatus according to the present teachings can be fabricated using a plurality of polymeric materials. In some embodiments, an apparatus according to the present teachings can be formed of a foamed polymeric material. In some such embodiments, the density of the foamed polymeric material can be in a range of about 1.5 to about 5 pounds/ft3. Further, in some embodiments, the apparatus can exhibit a hardness characterized by an IDL (indentation-deflection-load) value in a range of about 12 to about 50, e.g., in a range of about 20 to about 40.

Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A support apparatus for supporting and maintaining the head and neck of a user in the supine sniff position in which the Occipito-Atlanto-Axial joint is extended upwards and the head is angled downward to achieve alignment of the airway axes, comprising:

a pillow having opposing left and right sides, a back side, a front side, and a bottom surface;

a sloped ramp surface sloping up and away from the front side at an angle in a range of about 15° to 45° from the front side; and

a head/neck support section comprising a neck supporting surface for supporting the user's neck,

said head/neck support section further comprising a head support surface for supporting the head, said head supporting surface including a central surface that slopes downwardly and away from the neck supporting surface and downwardly and away from an outer edge of the head supporting surface;

said head/neck support section being dimensioned to align the user's oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal axes and maintain said alignment as the user's head is supported by said head supporting surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a base that is substantially rectilinear in shape.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sloped ramp surface has at least one receptacle for receiving at least one of the user's scapulas.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least one receptacle has a width in a range of about 2 inches to about 7 inches.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one receptacle has a length in a range of about 3 inches to about 14 inches.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least one receptacle has a depth in a range of about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein an edge of said at least one receptacle is within about 2 inches to about 6 inches from a top edge of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said receptacle has a polygonal shape.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sloped ramp support surface comprises a plurality of ridges.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said ridges have a depth in a range of about 0.2 inches to about 1 inch.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said ridges cover an area of said sloped surface equal to greater than about 9 square inches.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said area of the sloped surface covered by said ridges is in a range of about 9 square inches to about 100 square inches.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said ridges are uniformly separated from one another.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said ridges are non-uniformly separated from one another.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the neck supporting surface in the neck/head support section has a substantially oval shape.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said neck supporting surface has a maximum diameter of at least 8 inches.

17. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein a middle portion of the neck supporting surface in the neck/head support section is lower than a top edge of the neck supporting section by at least 0.125 inches.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said middle portion of the neck supporting surface is lower than said top edges by a distance in a range of about 0.125 inches and 0.5 inches.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is formed of a polymeric material.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said polymeric material comprises urethane.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said polymeric material is foamed.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said foamed polymeric material comprises foamed polyurethane.

23. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein a highest edge of the neck supporting surface is between about 0.5 and about 4 inches higher than a lowest point on the head supporting surface.

24. A support apparatus for supporting and maintaining the head and neck of a user in the sniff position in which the Occipito-Atlanto-Axial joint is extended upwards and the head is angled downward to achieve alignment of the airway axes, comprising:

a pillow having opposing left and right sides, a back side, a front side, and a bottom surface and a top surface, said top surface comprising a sloping ramp surface with one or more receptacles for receiving at least one of the user's scapula and lower shoulder, wherein the sloped ramp surface has one or more polygonal receptacles having a width in a range of about 2 inches to about 14 inches and a length in a range of about 3 inches to about 14 inches, with edges of the receptacles being within 2 inches and up to 8 inches from a top edge of theapparatus, with the eceptacles having a depth in a range from about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches;

at least one head/neck supporting section for supporting the user's head and neck, the head/neck supporting section comprising a neck support surface positioned at aneck end of the head/neck section;

said head/neck supporting section further comprising a head support surface for supporting the user's head, wherein said head support surface comprises a central surface that slopes down and away from the neck support surface and down and away from an outer the edge of the head support surface; and

wherein said head support surface and said neck support surface are dimensioned to provide a substantial alignment of the oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal axes when the user's head is received in said head support surface.

25. The support apparatus of claim 24, wherein said substantial alignment of the oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal axes is characterized by the user's cervical spine experiencing an extension in a range of about 5 to about 20 degrees and the user's lower cervical spine experiencing a flexion in a range of about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees.

26. A support apparatus for supporting and maintaining the head and neck of a user in the sniff position in which the Occipito-Atlanto-Axial joint is extended upwards and the head is angled downward to achieve alignment of the airway axes, comprising:

a pillow having opposing left and right sides, a back side, a front side, and a bottom surface;

a head support surface and a neck support surface for supporting the head and the neck of the user, said head support surface including a central surface that slopes down and away from the neck support surface and down and away from an outer edge of the head support surface;

said head and neck support surfaces being dimensioned to provide substantial alignment of the oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal axes of the user;

a ramp surface sloping away from the front side towards the neck support surface and the head support surface, wherein the ramp exhibits a slope in a range of about 15° to about 45° relative to a front edge of the pillow and wherein a length of the ramp measured from the front edge of the pillow to the front of the neck support surface is between about 10 inches and about 18 inches,

wherein the sloped ramp surface has one or more polygonal receptacles having a width in a range of about 2 inches and to about 7 inches and a length in a range of about 3 inches to about 14 inches, with edges of the receptacles being within 2 inches and up to 8 inches from a top edge of the pillow and within 2 inches and up to 6 inches from a side edge of the sloped ramp surface, said receptacles having a depth in a range from about 0.5 inches up to about 4 inches; and

wherein said head support surface includes a central surface that slopes downwardly and away from the neck support surface and downwardly and away from an outer edge of the head support surface; and

wherein the head support and neck support surfaces are dimensioned to provide substantial alignment of the oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal axes.

27. The support separator of claim 26, wherein said substantial alignment of the axes is characterized by the user's cervical spine experiencing an extension in a range of about 5 to about 20 degrees and the user's lower cervical spine experiencing a flexion in a range of about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees.