Abstract: A head and neck support device (10) is described. The device (10) includes a first plate (12) and a second plate (98). The first plate extends along the back of the torso (202) and is strapped to the torso by a torso harness (70). The second plate extends upward from the first plate behind the head (204) and neck (206) of the person (200). A head harness (142) for grasping the head is attached to the device by a tether (148) which is inserted through slots (138C, 140C) in a right and left harness support (138, 140) mounted on the second plate (98). The head harness allows the head to rotate while maintaining the head in a desired position.

Abstract: A cervical collar is disclosed which is formed from a stiff flexible plastic material and comprises (a) a neck encircling band comprising a back portion and a front portion and (b) a chin support formed from such plastic material. The collar provides two features which confer greater comfort when the collar is worn for extended periods of time. The chin support is supported to reduce the force of contact between the chin support and the top edge of the front portion of said collar. In a preferred embodiment, the support is provided by a plurality of load-bearing tabs extending from the top edge of the front portion of the collar. The collar also has a shelf-forming member which is attached to the back portion of the collar.

Abstract: A cervical collar arranged to be stored flat comprises an anterior member, a generally C-shaped chin support member, a connecting pin attaching each end of the chin support member to the anterior member, a posterior member formed to provide a back engaging edge portion and an occipital support portion, and fastening means for releasably retaining the ends of the anterior and posterior means in juxtaposition. Another cervical collar is similarly constructed, but has the chin support preformed and attached to the anterior member or formed as an integral part of the anterior member.

Abstract: A soft neck support collar is disclosed comprising two detached, superposed tubular ring elements which are connected at their respective ends, and are insertably and retractably secured within a flexible and removable outer sleeve. The tubular ring elements contain a soft fill material, and the combined effect of the fill material together with their tubular configuration, enables the collar to appropriately adjust for lateral, forward and backward neck movements. In addition to restricting neck mobility, the collar will self adjust for neutral positioning of the chin and neck.Use of the sleeve enables the use of a greater range of tubular sizes, and provides for adjustable configurations. When necessary or desired, the addition of one or more smaller tubular elements on either side of the tubular ring elements can impart greater stiffness to the ring elements for a given neck position.

Abstract: A head immobilization device is disclosed comprising a foundation portion and a restraining portion. The foundation portion comprises a foundational panel and an adhesive first spine board engaging element situated on the lower surface of the foundation panel. The restraining portion comprises a base panel, two side panels extending laterally from the outer sides of the base panel, and at least one band of material for affixing the side panels to each other in suitable conformance with the patient's head.

Abstract: A cephalic and cervical support apparatus for immobilization and traction of the cervical rachis including a semirigid, flexible unitary shell having a facial opening and upper, middle and lower sections. The upper section substantially conforms to a wearer's head and has a forehead strap which extends in a substantially horizontal direction across the wearer's forehead. The middle section substantially conforms to a wearer's neck area, encircling the neck area, and having a division in the shell in the submandibular region. The lower section substantially conforms to the wearer's upper shoulder, back and chest area, and has a division connected to the division in the middle section which allows the shell to be opened for installation on a wearer. The division can be releasably closed by a fastening device, and the support apparatus can be held on a wearer by engagement of a pair of arm straps.

Abstract: A halo system orthopedic appliance includes an adjustable two poster arrangement in which the connections between the respective posts and the appliance are made with respective clamp mechanisms. Each poster is slidably received in a channel formed by each clamp. Each clamp is rotatably received on a single clamp screw which when tightened simultaneously fixes the slidably adjusted position of the post relative the clamp and the rotatably adjusted position of the clamp relative the appliance. Serrations on opposing surfaces between respectively paired clamps and adapter brackets carried on the halo ring, and respectively between two clamps and superstructure supported on a patient vest, enhances the clamping effect. During application of the appliance, the patient's skeletal process is first aligned in a desired orientation, and thereafter the four respective clamps located adjacent each end of the pair of posters are secured.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supporting the head, the neck and the upper body. The apparatus includes a first assembly for supporting an upper portion of the head. In one preferred example, the first support assembly includes a headband to be fitted around the head for reducing lateral-rotational movements due to bio-mechanical thrust. A second support assembly is provided for supporting a lower portion of the head. In a preferred example, the second support assembly includes a chin support which is structurally separate from the first support assembly. A third support assembly is provided for supporting a portion of the upper body. In a preferred example, the third support assembly includes a vest which substantially encompasses the upper body. An interconnecting arrangement is employed to adjustably and detachably connect the first support assembly and the second support assembly to portions of the third support assembly.

Abstract: A cervical traction device includes a vest to be worn by a patient with a spine or neck injury, a halo adapted to be secured to the patient's head, support rods interconnecting the halo and the vest, and an expansion member disposed between the halo and the support rods for adjusting the supporting force applied to the halo. The expansion member includes a calibrated scale for measuring and displaying the supporting force so that a balanced supporting force can be applied to the halo.

Abstract: A cervical collar is provided which has front and rear semi-rigid portions, attached by hook and loop fasteners. The front portion comprises a semi-rigid preformed jaw support contoured to follow the jaw line of a patient, and a preformed sternum brace contoured to contact the sternum and upper trapezius of the patient and to support said jaw support. The rear portion of the cervical collar is contoured to follow the curve of the back of the head or occiput and to support the head and neck. The sternum brace has right, left, and central sections, wherein the height of the central section is adapted to correspond to the distance between a patient's sternum and jaw at the chin and the height of the right and left sections is adapted to correspond to the distance between a patient's upper trapezius muscle and jaw. The height of the right and left sections is independent of the height of the central section. Further, the jaw support may include a cushioning pad and a covering of anti-decubitus material.

Abstract: A system for applying a stereotaxic headring, as used in neurosurgery, in which a brace performs the functions of immobilizing a patient's head with respect to the shoulders and upper torso and also of rigidity supporting the headring in a selected position of adjustment. The brace therefore fixes both the head and headring against relative movement, allowing the headring to be anchored directly to the patient's skull in the precise position selected. Once the headring is so anchored, the brace may be removed and conventional stereotaxic neurosurgical procedures may be undertaken.

Abstract: A device is provided for maintaining the head of a patient in predetermined spatial relationship to the body of the patient. The device comprises an elliptical truncated member (halo) adapted to fit around the patient's head from front to back. The elliptical member, or open-backed halo includes a stiffening brim integrally associated with it at the front portion of the halo. The halo also includes a plurality of mounting holes and vibrational isolators for receiving skull pins to contact and grip the patient's head. The halo further includes, midway between the front and rear of the elliptical member two depressed segments which allow for positioning of skull tongs on the patient's head while the halo remains on the patient. The device also includes adjustable means for attaching the open-backed halo to a vest worn by the patient.

Abstract: This invention provides a cervical brace (10) for substantial immobilization of a user's head (14). The cervical brace (10) of the subject invention includes a head immobilization mechanism (24) for interface with the chin of the user (12). Additionally, a rear immobilization mechanism (26) is provided for contacting the occipital portion of the user's head (14). The immobilization mechanisms (24 and 26) are provided with rigid plate members (28 and 26) in combination with flexible sheets (32 and 42) to form pockets within which flexible pad members (36 and 38) may be removably inserted. In this manner, the user's head (14) is maintained in a substantially immobile positioning location while dispersing the loads over a wider area to minimize any user discomfort.

Abstract: A flexible support brace transfers excessive back motion of a sports helmet through a flexible interlinked brace, which floats freely between two spaced circumferential spans on the helmet during normal play but which engage with the helmet and collapses to a braced configuration if the helmet is excessively pulled back or pushed forward. In the braced configuration, helmet loads are transferred to the shoulder pads of the player directly thus transferring excessive head loads into the chest area of the player where they can be more safely absorbed.

Abstract: A shaped halo vest includes front and back vest components for overlying the front and back of the patient's upper torso. Each component is shaped three-dimensionally to load selected areas of the body, i.e., selected muscle groups, and avoid loading other selected areas of the body, i.e., bony prominences. The shaping includes three-dimensional compound curves for bowing the molded plastic vest components inwardly to transfer loads or outwardly to avoid transfer of loads. The marginal edges of the vest components are flared outwardly to avoid pinching or bruising the underlying tissue upon relative movement of the patient and vest. The three-dimensional compound curves and the flared edges contribute to the structural rigidity of the vest. The front and back components are secured one to the other by adjustable straps along the opposite sides of the lower portions of the vest and adjustable length shoulder straps. Vent holes are provided in the back vest component.

Abstract: Apparatus for skeletal stabilization of patients for transportation, treatment, and diagnosis, which apparatus comprises a radiolucent board having T-slots opposite each other at intervals along the long edge of the rectangular board and radiolucent straps having at one end a structure adapted to be fitted into a T-slot and secured there, and having at the other end fastening means for holding that end to another strap, together with methods for stabilizing patients using such apparatus and radiolucent straps for such apparatus and methods.

Abstract: A cervical collar is disclosed which is formed from a stiff flexible plastic material and comprises (a) a neck encircling band comprising a back portion and a front portion and (b) a chin support formed from such plastic material. The collar provides two features which confer greater comfort when the collar is worn for extended periods of time. The chin support is supported to reduce the force of contact between the chin support and the top edge of the front portion of said collar. In a preferred embodiment, the support is provided by a plurality of load-bearing tabs extending from the top edge of the front portion of the collar. The collar also has a shelf-forming member which is attached to the back portion of the collar.

Abstract: The invention provides a cervical brace with a torso engaging member, a chin support member and a head support member. The chin support member and head support member are adjustably mounted on the torso engaging member. The chin support member releases from the framework and pivots so as to allow simple mounting and removal without affecting the adjustments. The chin support member and head support member cooperatively restrict movement of the wearer's head.

Abstract: A three-point cervical fixation device for a human patient, having a vertical support device extending substantially parallel to the patient's spine, the support having upper and lower ends adjacent the head and torso of the patient, respectively. The upper end of the support means is connected with the patient's head by a first connecting device, and a second connecting device connects a lower portion of the support device with the torso of the patient. A force-applying device connected with the support applies a force to the patient intermediate the first and the second connecting devices in a direction generally away from the support, thereby to stabilize the patient's spine.