Vacuum splint apparatus and method for using the same
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10245174-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A particle filled neck brace is used for immobilizing the neck of a patient and includes a single handedly operable vacuum hand pump disposed on the neck brace, which pump is communicated to the interior of the neck brace. After the neck brace is secured around the neck of the patient, the vacuum hand pump is manipulated to remove air from the neck brace to form a rigid mold about the patient's neck. The vacuum hand pump has a one way directional valve so that the neck brace remains in a rigid configuration for as long as the neck brace is applied to the patient. The vacuum hand pump also includes a plurality of springs which assist the user in completing a vacuum pump cycle. To release the neck brace, the user opens a release valve which allows ambient air to refill the neck brace and increase its flexibility.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus for immobilizing the neck of a patient using a splint body that defines a deflatable interior filled with a plurality of loosely compressible particles. A coupling portion selectively joins a first end to a second end when the splint body is applied about the neck of the patient, forming a neck brace. A vacuum hand pump is coupled to the splint body with an input communicated with the deflatable interior, and the vacuum hand pump removes air from the deflatable interior to bring the splint body against the neck of the patient.
The vacuum hand pump removes air without moving the neck of the patient, so that the neck immobilization is achieved while maintaining neck position. The apparatus includes a single-hand operable vacuum hand pump having bellows, and the vacuum hand pump is configured to remove air from the deflatable interior and bring the splint body against the neck of the patient without moving the neck. One-way directional valves are used to maintain vacuum and prevent reentry during use, supporting rigidity of the splint body.
A release valve admits ambient air to re-expand or soften the brace for uncoupling and removal, enabling the brace to be released from the patient after immobilization. The pump and brace together are described as compressing micro-beads into a rigid mold shape that immobilizes the neck without moving it, and the vacuum and release valve arrangement provides immobilization and then removal of the neck brace.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims covering an apparatus and a method for neck immobilization using a deflatable particle-filled splint body and a single-hand vacuum hand pump. The inventive features center on vacuum rigidization, single-hand bellows actuation, and the coupling and valve structures.
Apparatus for neck immobilization with deflatable particle-filled splint and single-hand vacuum pump
A splint body defining a deflatable interior and having a coupling portion; a plurality of loosely compressible particles disposed in the deflatable interior; and a vacuum hand pump coupled to the splint body with an input communicated with the deflatable interior, the hand pump comprising bellows operable with a single hand, wherein the vacuum hand pump is configured to remove air from the deflatable interior and bring the splint body against the neck of the patient without moving the neck of the patient.
Method of neck immobilization by coupling a deflatable particle-filled neck brace and single-handedly actuating vacuum pump to rigidize without neck movement
Coupling a neck brace comprised of a deflatable splint body having an interior filled with a plurality of compressible particles around the neck of the patient; single handedly actuating a vacuum hand pump disposed on a splint body of the neck brace; and removing air from the deflatable splint body to bring the splint body against the neck of the patient so that the neck brace becomes rigid about the neck of the patient without moving the neck of the patient.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on rigidizing a deflatable, particle-filled neck brace by removing air using a single-handed vacuum hand pump with bellows, while immobilizing the neck without moving the neck.
Stated Advantages
Immobilizes the neck of a patient without moving the neck of the patient.
Documented Applications
Immobilizing the neck of a patient using a neck brace having a deflatable splint body and a single-handedly actuated vacuum hand pump.
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