Extrication cervical collar with adjustable supports

Abstract

A surgical collar for emergency rescues has mandibular and occipital supports that will each adjust vertically without affecting the other.

We claim: 
     
       1. An extrication cervical collar suitable for rescue operations comprising: (A) a single wide band in the form of a loop of supporting material of sufficient length to surround the neck of a patient,   (B) a mandibular support extending upwardly from said band, said mandibular support comprising a substantially horizontal surface component, and   (C) a plurality of spaced-apart structural members adjustably and independently supporting said mandibular support from said band at a distance required for the length of the neck of said patient, wherein.[.;.]. .Iadd.: .Iaddend. (i) a central of said structural members comprises a first stiff strap extending downwardly from said mandibular support,   (ii) .[.said first strap.]. .Iadd.said first stiff strap .Iaddend.comprises a vertical row of perforations therethrough,   (iii) said band supports a pin projecting forwardly therefrom and fitable snugly into said perforations,     (iv) .[.the remaining two.]. .Iadd.the other of said plurality .Iaddend.of said structural members comprise second and third stiff straps that extend downwardly .[.from either side of said first strap.]. .Iadd.on each respective side of said first stiff strap.Iaddend., and (v) said band comprises two pairs of essentially rectangular openings therein for engaging said second and third structural members to level said mandibular support.     
     
     
       2. The cervical collar of claim 1 wherein said plurality of spaced-apart structural members equals three members. 
     
     
       3. The cervical collar of claim 1 comprising an independently movable occipital support and means independently and adjustably connecting said occipital support to said band as required by the length of the neck of said patient. 
     
     
       4. The cervical collar of claim 3 comprising a plurality of sheets of plastic foam cushioning on the surfaces of said band, said mandibular support, and said occipital support contacting said patient. 
     
     
       5. The cervical collar of claim 3 wherein said occipital support comprises walls defining two spaced-apart vertical slots, said cervical collar comprises a horizontal strap mounted across a rear portion of said band, and said strap passes through said slots, thereby securing said occipital support to said band. 
     
     
       6. The cervical collar of claim 1 wherein said band of supporting material comprises high-density polyethylene about 0.06 inches (1.5 mm) thick. 
     
     
       7. The cervical collar of claim 1 wherein said mandibular support curves upwardly and permanently around a central lengthwise axis. 
     
     
       8. The method of forming the upward curve in the mandibular support of claim 7 comprising the steps of inscribing said curve in the form of a cut of about 1/2 its thickness in the material of said mandibular support, and downwardly bending said mandibular support at said inscribed curve, thereby curving said mandibular support without the need for a shaping die. 
     
     
       9. An extrication cervical collar suitable for rescue operations comprising: (A) a single wide band in the form of a loop of supporting material of sufficient length to surround the neck of a patient,   (B) a mandibular support extending upwardly from said band, said mandibular support comprising a substantially horizontal surface component, and   (C) a plurality of spaced-apart structural members adjustably and independently supporting said mandibular support from said band at a distance required for the length of the neck of said patient, wherein: (i) a central of said structural members comprises a stiff rod extending downwardly from said mandibular support,   (ii) said band supports a spring clip comprising perforations for said rod,   (iii) second and third of said structural members extend downwardly .[.from either side.]. .Iadd.on each respective side .Iaddend.of .[.said first structural member.]. .Iadd.the central structural member .Iaddend.and comprise stiff straps, and   (iv) said band comprises two pairs of essentially rectangular openings therein for engaging said second and third structural members, thereby leveling said mandibular support.     
     
     
       10. An extrication cervical collar suitable for rescue operations comprising: (A) a single wide band in the form of a loop of supporting material of sufficient length to surround the neck of a patient,   (B) a mandibular support extending upwardly from said band, said mandibular support comprising a substantially horizontal surface component, and   (C) a plurality of spaced-apart structural members adjustably and independently supporting said mandibular support from said band at a distance required for the length of the neck of said patient, wherein: (i) a central of said structural members comprises a first stiff strap extending downwardly from said mandibular support and .[.a.]. .Iadd.an inner .Iaddend.surface facing said band,   (ii) said cervical collar comprises a first patch of hook and loop fasteners fixed to the inner-facing surface of said strap,   (iii) said band supports a second patch of hook and loop fasteners facing said first patch of hook and loop fasteners and grippable thereto,   (iv) .[.the remaining two of said structural members.]. .Iadd.the other of the plurality of structural members .Iaddend.comprise second and third stiff straps that extend downwardly .[.from either side of said first strap.]. .Iadd.on each respective side of said first stiff strap.Iaddend., and   (v) said band comprises two pairs of essentially rectangular openings therein for engaging said second and third structural members to level said mandibular support. .Iadd.     
     
     
       11.  An extrication cervical collar suitable for rescue operations comprising: (A) a single wide band in the form of a loop of supporting material of sufficient length to surround the neck of a patient,   (B) a mandibular support extending upwardly from said band, said mandibular support comprising a substantially horizontal surface component, and   (C) a plurality of spaced-apart structural members adjustable and independently supporting said mandibular support from said band at a distance required for the length of the neck of said patient, wherein: (i) a central of said structural members comprises a first stiff strap extending downwardly from said mandibular support,   (ii) means for vertically fixing the elevation of the mandibular support, said means for vertically fixing removably affixes said first stiff strap to said band,   (iii) the other of said plurality of said structural members comprise second and third stiff straps that extend downwardly on each respective side of said first stiff strap, and   (iv) said band comprises openings therein for engaging said second and third structural members to level said mandibular support. .Iaddend.