Forward Head Posture Correction Collar

Abstract

A forward head position correction collar is provided which includes a shoulder collar assembly, a chin mastoid piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar; a cheek or jaw piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer; and interconnecting means for interconnecting the chin piece to the collar assembly as to enable the chin piece to be manually and preferably incrementally adjustable with respect to the shoulder collar assembly in a Z-direction to thereby adjust the supported head of the wearer from the forward head position to an increasingly corrected position. The interconnecting means is further adapted for displacing the chin-mastoid piece in a vertical direction with respect to the shoulder collar assembly simultaneously with and proportional to the incremental adjustment of the chin-mastoid piece along the Z-axis. The proportional vertical displacement with respect to the z axis displacement for the chin-mastoid support piece is that yielded by a point moving at about a 5 to 25 degree slope with respect to the horizontal Z-axis. The correction collar may further include a lordosis correction assembly secured to the rear of the collar and engageable with the rear of the wearer for applying corrective forces to at least one or more of the cervical vertebrae of the wearer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Background of the Invention

Forward head positioning is an increasingly observed malady in our society. As is well known to orthopedists, chiropractors and other medical practitioners the human head in its normal position should sit in a direct fashion on the neck and shoulders. Partly because of certain increasing habits in our society the head can become displaced to a posture where instead of sitting directly on the neck and shoulders, is displaced forward of that normal position to what is called a “forward head posture” (or “FHP”). FHP is identifiable when the position of the ear is forward when compared to the shoulder, as opposed to being posited directly over it. FHP has become so widespread that it may already constitute a health hazard having the ramifications of a pandemic, since when left untreated FHP can develop degenerative and disabling joint diseases affecting countless numbers of people.

There are numerous reasons why FHP is becoming such a more common problem. For example, vastly increased use of computer screens accustoms the operator to move and maintain the head (and ears) in the undesirable forward head posture. The problem is exacerbated in children and young adults by long hours devoted to video games, not to mention conventional television watching. Yet another source believed to be responsible for the malady particularly in children, is the present custom of children carrying extremely heavy backpacks to and from school. The weight of such backpacks is so high as to require head placement in a forward position to balance the load, which results in the increasing observation of forward head posture in both children and young adults. As another example, FHP occurs in athletes playing contact sports, such as football or soccer, in which a given player's head will move involuntarily in an unplanned direction. In football, it is known that a player's head will moved in several directions when the player is tackled or blocked. In that instance, the head will move in a direction that causes stress on the spine and the head translates forward of the shoulders. The same type of movement may be experienced when a given play is using his or her head during soccer to hit the soccer ball.

Basic damage resulting from forward head posture (FHP) arises because the upper cervical portion of the spine can become chronically misaligned. The head will translate forward of the shoulders. Every inch the head moves forward of the shoulders dramatically adds mechanical weight loads to the neck. For example, an individual with poor posture may have his or her head translate a number of degrees from the anatomically correct position, which is considered zero degrees. In a normal anatomical position, the head aligned forward of the shoulders in the zero degree position, such that the ears are lined up with the center of the shoulder. In that position, there is about 10-12 lbs. of weight loaded to the neck and cervical spine. When the head moves forward, such that the ears are displaced away from the centerline, there is an increase in the number of pounds imposed on the neck. A 15 degree displacement can create up to 27 lbs. and a 16 degree displacement can impose an additional 60 lbs on the neck. The forward positioning of the head can pull the spine out of its anatomical alignment, and can add up to thirty pounds of abnormal leverage on the cervical spine and, as a result, can pull the spine out of alignment. Movements in head posture forces muscles in the upper back and neck areas to work harder to keep the head (including chin) properly aligned, as opposed to dropping forwards towards the chest area. It is known by those of ordinary skill in the art that FHP may result in the loss of 30% of vital lung capacity due to the loss of the cervical lordosis. Cervical lordosis is a curvature of the cervical spine or the vertebrae in the neck region. The slight curve present in the cervical vertebrae enables comfortable movement of the neck and supports the weight of the head. The cervical curve allows flexibility between the vertebrae to allow normal head movement. The range of the cervical lordosis is 34 to 44 degrees. When the natural curvature of the spine changes, such that an acceptable cervical lordosis curve is lost or misaligned, problems can arise which present in a number of symptoms, such as neck and back pain, neck stiffness, vertigo and nausea, headaches and tinnitus, high blood pressure, insomnia and fatigue, numbness or tingling sensation in the neck, and other symptoms known in the art.

While the difficulties arising from FHP are certainly well recognized in the healing arts, efforts to correct same by treatment with orthopedic devices and the like have not been successful. Basically such efforts have taken the form of using cervical collars to in some manner immobilize the neck. The objective of these collars, or for that matter of other prior art treatment, has simply been to utilize traction to displace the head from its improper position.

Neither these prior art collars, nor to the best of applicant's knowledge any other presently available devices and/or apparatus, are however effective in reversing the damaging effects of FHP.

As used herein, the term “Z-axis” refers to the horizontal axis extending in an anterior-posterior direction with respect to a set of axis positioned at a hypothetical human, where the corresponding vertical axis is referred to as the Y-axis and the horizontal left to right side axis with respect to such human is referred to as the X-axis. Many of the prior art devices that have been used or proposed, while achieving adjustments along the Z-axis are not otherwise concerned with simultaneously improving cervical lordosis. Most cervical collars are designed to immobilize the neck and/or cause axial translation to decompress the cervical spine while causing the cervical spine straightening. This may produce mixed benefits, as ligament impairment cannot improve around a straightened cervical curve, as this is an abnormal alignment, which will ultimately result in permanent arthritic changes to the cervical joints. Ligament rehabilitation requires improvement of joint alignment over time. Most current extension traction therapy designed to improve cervical lordosis is practiced for 20 minutes or less.

Dellanno, U.S. Pat. No. 8,038,635, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirely, teaches a forward head position correction collar featuring in combination a shoulder collar assembly, a chin-mastoid piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar and a means interconnecting the chin-mastoid piece to the shoulder collar assembly for manually and incrementally adjusting the chin-mastoid piece with respect to the shoulder collar assembly in an anterior/posterior (Z-axis) direction along the Z-axis. It would be desirable to provide an adjustable collar for use in correcting FHP. It would be desirable to provide a forward head position correction collar featuring in combination a shoulder collar assembly, a chin-mastoid piece and a cheek or jaw piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar. It would be preferable to engage and position using force applied to the cheek jaw rather than the chin. One objective of Dellanno is to improve cervical lordosis with a full correction collar over many hours. The present invention is thus relatively comfortable and can be used at work or at home or even during sleeping hours to avoid unhealthy postures that impair the health of an injured neck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features an adjustable forward head posture assembly for use in positioning the head of the wearer to a desired position. The assembly comprises a first member for removably mounting the assembly to the wearer, a second member adjustably secured to the first member, and a third member for engaging the chin of the wearer, which is adjustably secured to the second member. The second member engages a portion of the head of the wearer and is adapted to move relative to the first member for purposes of positioning the third member. The third member engages another portion of the head of the wearer and is adjustably secured to the second member. The adjustable movement of the second member and third member, either individually or in combination, is advantageously used to capture the head of the wearer in a first condition and move the head to a second condition, the second condition being the preferable position of the head relative to the body as desired by the operator of the posture assembly.

In an alternate embodiment, the present invention features a forward head position correction collar assembly comprising: shoulder collar assembly; chin-mastoid piece for engaging the head of a wearer of the collar; a cheek or jaw piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar; and a means for interconnecting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece to the shoulder collar assembly.

The cheek or jaw piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar may be attached to, connected to, or substantially a part or portion of the means for interconnecting the chin-mastoid piece to the shoulder collar assembly. The cheek or jaw piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer may be equipped with or contain one or more pads for cushioning the engagement with the cheek or jaw. There may be provided means for manually and incrementally adjusting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder collar assembly in an anterior/posterior (Z-axis) direction along the Z-axis The means for interconnecting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece to the shoulder collar assembly for manually and incrementally adjusting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder collar assembly in an anterior/posterior (Z-axis) direction along the Z-axis may further interconnect the chin-mastoid piece or the cheek or jaw piece to the shoulder collar assembly to displace the chin mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece in a vertical direction with respect to the shoulder collar assembly simultaneously with and proportional to the incremental adjustment along the Z-axis. The vertical displacement of the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw 'piece with respect to the shoulder assembly proportional to the Z-axis displacement for the chin support piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece may be yielded by a point moving at a 5-25° slope with respect to the Z-axis. The means interconnecting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece to the shoulder collar assembly may feature a track affixed to the chin mastoid piece which is disposed at a slope having a vertical to horizontal rate of change corresponding to the vertical and horizontal displacement of the chin mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder assembly and a pinion gear engaged with teeth in the track, and means for displacing the chin mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder assembly in accordance with the rotational position of the pinion gear. The means may adjust the supported head of the wearer from the forward head position to an increasingly corrected position.

The forward head position correction collar features a lordosis correction assembly secured to the rear of the collar and engageable with the rear of the wearer for applying corrective forces by enabling increased pressure to be brought against specified vertebrae. The lordosis correction assembly includes separate adjoining units, each having an advanceable surface which can be individually advanced against a selected of said vertebrae from the posterior of the vertebrae.

The forward head position correction collar may allow vertical displacement of the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder assembly and which is proportional to the Z-axis displacement for the chin support piece is that yielded by a point moving at a 10-25° slope with respect to the Z-axis, preferably about a 10° slope. The forward head position correction collar may provide advanceable surfaces of the units of the corrective assembly defined by a plurality of separate side by side pads. The distal ends of the pads may be selectively displaceable toward the wearer's vertebrae to enable selective increase of pressure against selected vertebrae. The pads may be individually inflatable to enable said displacement.

The forward head position correction include means for locking the position between the chin mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece and the shoulder assembly when the desired adjustment has been attained. The locking means may be releasable for enabling further adjustment. The track and pinion gear may be provided at each lateral side of the correction collar, to enable balanced displacement at each lateral side of the collar.

The forward head position correction collar includes a corrective assembly comprising an inflatable chamber and a surface facing the user which corresponds in shape to the desired corrections. The lordosis correction assembly secured to the rear of the collar may be engageable with the rear of the wearer for applying corrective forces to the upper, middle and/or lower cervical spine. The lordosis correction assembly secured to the rear of the collar may be engageable with the rear of the wearer for applying corrective forces to at least the cervical vertebrae of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the drawings appended hereto, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a correction collar of the invention, with an inflatable lordosis correction assembly.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side and top views of the chin-mastoid piece and chin-mastoid piece support bracket of the collar shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are, respectively, isolated top, plan and end views of one of the components shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the components shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a side schematic view showing how use of the inflatable lordosis correction assembly acts in concert with other components to adjust the cervical and upper thoracic portions of an individual's spine.

FIG. 9 is a side schematic view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the air bladder being filled at one position while rigid foam lordosis pad contacts the rear portion of a person's neck.

FIG. 10 is a side schematic view of an alternate embodiment of a lordosis assembly with a discrete adjustment displacement element, positioned in a manner to adjust the cervical and upper thoracic portions of an individual's spine.

FIG. 11 is a side schematic view similar to FIG. 10, showing an alternate embodiment of a lordosis assembly, containing a plurality of discrete adjustable elements.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 are top, side, bottom and perspective views of an exemplary adjustable element of the lordosis assembly shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a head posture correction collar assembly of the present invention in an assembled condition, mounted to the hypothetical head of a wearer shown in phantom.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an assembled collar assembly shown in FIG. 16 without the head of the wearer, having a first support member shaped to rest on the shoulders of the wearer and a second support member to engage the chin.

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the collar assembly shown in FIG. 17.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are respectively front and rear plan views of the collar assembly shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is an isolated side view of a second support member of the collar assembly shown in FIG. 17, the other side being a mirror image.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the collar assembly shown in FIG. 17 in a first condition, having an opening to receive the head of the wearer.

FIG. 23 is a top view of the collar assembly shown in FIG. 22 in a second condition, in which bilateral sides of the first support member a slightly flexed away from each.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the first support member of collar assembly shown in FIG. 17, shaped to rest on the shoulder of a wearer.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of portions of the collar assembly shown in FIG. 17, illustrating components of the first and second support members.

FIG. 26 is an isolated side view one side of the collar assembly shown in FIG. 17, illustrating the connection of the first support member with the second support member.

FIG. 27 is an isolated side view of the side of the collar assembly shown in FIG. 26, illustrating the adjustable movement of the second support member relative to the first support member.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are isolated cutaway sides view of a discrete adjustable displacement element shown in FIG. 23, taken along lines 23-23.

FIG. 30 is an isolated cutaway side view of an adjustable displacement element shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 31 is an isolated perspective view of components shown in FIG. 30, illustrating how to operate the adjustable displacement element.

FIG. 32 is an isolated cutaway view of the adjustable displacement component shown in FIG. 15, taken along line 32-32.

FIG. 33 is an isolated view of the components of the opposite side of the bottom portion of the second support member shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the second support member shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative method of mounting the collar assembly shown in FIG. 17 to the body of the hypothetical wearer, the collar assembly being adapted to move intermediate a first mounting condition to a closed mounted condition.

FIG. 36 are schematic cross-sectional side views depicting sequential changes of the head position and cervical spine configuration to correct head translation.

FIG. 37 are schematic cross-section side views depicting sequential changes that occurs in the patient's head position and spinal by use of the collar assembly shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 38 are schematic cross-sectional views depicting sequential changes of forward head translation that occurs to individuals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a new type of forward head position (FHP) correction collar, which utilizes a mild axial translation with significant corrective Z translation forces for the sagittal planes. The invention provides an orthopedic correction device which can be readily used by a patient suffering from FHP, which can reverse the damaging effects of compressive loading, shear, and neck moments which FHP generates at all seven cervical vertebra of the patient.

In accordance with the present invention a forward head position correction collar is provided which in combination includes a shoulder collar assembly, a chin-mastoid piece, a cheek or jaw piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar, interconnecting means for interconnecting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece to the collar assembly as to enable the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece to be manually and preferably incrementally adjustable with respect to the shoulder collar assembly in a Z-direction, to thereby adjust the supported head of the wearer from the forward head position to an increasingly corrected position; and the interconnecting means further being adapted to displace the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece in a vertical direction with respect to the shoulder collar assembly simultaneously with and proportional to the incremental adjustment of the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece along the Z-axis. The proportional vertical displacement with respect to the z axis displacement for the chin-mastoid support piece and/or the cheek or jaw pieces is that yielded by a point moving at about a 5 to 25° slope, and preferably at a 10 to 25° slope with respect to the horizontal Z-axis.

The FHP correction collar may further include a lordosis correction assembly secured to the rear of the collar. This assembly is engageable with the rear of the wearer for applying corrective force to the upper, middle and/or lower cervical spine. The lordosis correction assembly can also be used to selectively support only one or only several of the seven cervical vertebrae, and thus need not support the entire neck curve. Further, the assembly may by virtue of its fit with a given patient, be able in such instances to support one or more of the upper thoracic vertebrae.

It is to be appreciated that the terms “forward” and “back” are often misused when applied to flexion and extension motion of the head. As described herein the reference coordinate system is one wherein the x-axis extends right to left in the frontal plane, the y-axis is the vertical axis, and the z-axis resides in the front to rear sagittal plane. The present invention is concerned with translational movement along the sagittal plane, i.e. in the direction of the z-axis (front to rear). This contrasts to much prior art as exemplified e.g. in such representative prior art as Bonutti U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,047, which is concerned with rotational movement around the x axis (flexion and extension or looking up or down movement). See, e.g. FIGS. 4 and 5 of Bonutti. The exemplary prior art Bonutti invention is designed to stretch the neck in flexion (negative x direction, see FIG. 4), or in extension (positive x axis direction, looking up, see FIG. 5) The patient can control this motion by an adjustable control knob located at their naval area, whereas in the present invention the control knob is in the neck area and causes a completely different motion. The present invention thus has a neck brace that moves forward (positive z axis) and rearward (negative z axis). There is no flexion or extension motion. The object of the present invention is to correct cervical lordosis breakdown at specific areas and to correct forward head posture. The design of the invention is dictated by the intended motion objectives.

In the views of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 the forward head position correction collar 10 comprises a shoulder collar assembly 12 and a chin-mastoid piece 14, a cheek or jaw piece 19 for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar is also provided. The cheek or jaw piece 19 being movable with respect to the shoulder collar assembly 12 so as to adjustably reposition the head 16 of a wearer of the correction collar 10. The chin-mastoid piece 14 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 is connected at each of its sides to one of a pair of chin-mastoid piece support brackets 18 by a track 20 and a rod 26. One such rod 26 is present at each side of collar 16. Each chin-mastoid piece support bracket 18 is connected to shoulder collar assembly 12 and to a rear lordosis correction assembly 24 (FIG. 7) by the lower ends of connecting rods 26 and by straps 28. The cheek or jaw piece 19 for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar may be provided with pads 39 and be suited for engaging the individual's cheek or jaw at a position lateral to the nose.

The Z-displaced and vertically displaced positions of the chin-mastoid piece 14 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 with respect to shoulder collar assembly 12 is adjusted by knobs 35 at each lateral side of collar I 0, each of which turn a pinion gear 36 which is meshed with teeth in track 20 (FIG. 17). The rotational angle through which each knob 35 moves is preferably the same during adjustment to preserve maximum symmetry in displacement of the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19. Such identity in rotation can be controlled manually or by simple interconnects. The displacement during adjustment may be seen from the figures where the upper portion of rear bladder assembly 24 has been removed for clarity. The new positions resulting from an adjustment is shown in shadow.

Operation of the device is better understood by reference to FIGS. 2 through 7. The chin-mastoid piece 14 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 is provided with a track 20 (one of a pair, the other being symmetrically secured at the opposed lateral face of piece 14). The form of track 20 may be better seen in FIG. 7. The chin-mastoid piece 14 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 has an alignment pin 30 permanently affixed to one side of the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 and projecting outwardly. The chin-mastoid piece 14 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 is attached to bracket 18 via the track 20 which engage in slidable fashion with bracket body 33. The alignment pin 30 is thus seen to engage with the bracket 18 and retained by pivot cap 34. Each of rods 26 is secured between alignment pin 30 and an anchoring point on shoulder assembly 12. An air or other cylinder 22 can be associated with rods 26 to act as a dampening means during the manual adjustments.

Thus when the knob 35 is rotated, displacement upwardly of the chin-mastoid piece 14 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 is enabled with respect to assembly 12 because of an incline of the support track 20, and of the alignment maintained in the support bracket 18. The support bracket 18 is schematically shown at 0° for purposes of clarity.

The interaction between the support bracket 18 and the chin-mastoid piece 14 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19. When the adjustment is made the rods 26 are first released by rotating release means 23 (FIG. 1) which are locked once the adjustment is complete. The incline for the support track can be in the general range of from about 50 to about 25°, with a preferred incline range being from about 10° to about 25°) and a typical preferred incline being about 10°.

The cheek or jaw piece 19 engages and positions the head of a wearer of the collar. The cheek or jaw piece 19 may be provided with pads 39, and is suited for engaging the individual's cheek or jaw at a position lateral to the nose.

Side and top perspective views of the chin-mastoid piece 14 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 and associated support bracket 18 appear in FIGS. 2 and 3. The mastoid bone is located behind the subject's ear and serves as an excellent lever-arm to move the head rearward in correcting the forward head posture. The mastoid bone is part of the head while the chin is part of the jaw, which is connected to the head. Engaging and using the chin alone, while workable, could possibly cause jaw problems.

The present apparatus as further seen in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 can also be associated with a lordosis correction assembly 24, which as is seen in these schematic views can comprise a user inflatable portion and an underlying pressure contact surface 29. The assembly 24 is inflatable by a simple hand bulb as shown at 38 (FIG. 9). The purpose of this assembly is to correct the lordosis curve upon the selected displaced position of the chin-mastoid piece 14 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 being achieved. The precise form of the lordosis correction surface 29 may be in accord with the devices and curvature configurations discussed at length in the present Dellanno, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,181,763, 5,290,091 and 5,580,124, among others, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

The correction surface 29 can comprise a plurality of separate adjoining pads 39. These can be of a foam or a similar material, or as shown in FIG. 9 can be each a separate inflatable unit or cell. This enables increased pressure to be brought selecting against specified vertebrae. Thus separate input ports such as 41, 43 etc. can be connected to an air pressure source to expand the connected inflatable unit against a particular vertebra. FIG. 9 shows such a connection being made in order to advance the expanded pad 39a against the C7 vertebra. Interconnection between input port 41 and pad 39 is made by a tube and suitable valving.

As also mentioned, pads 39 can be non-inflatable units formed of rigid or soft foams or other materials. In such instances the pads can be selectively advanced against desired vertebrae by simple mechanical arrangements. The distal ends of the pads 39 (remote from the patient) can be covered by hard plates, which are biased toward the patient by an adjustable threaded member 50 extending through housing 45 to a point at the rear of the assembly. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 a plurality of adjustable advancing means 44 are associated with individual foam pads 39. A suitable construction for means 44 is shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15. The threaded member passes through a mating half nut 47 which is in contact with button 46 and retained by spring 48 and end cap 49 which bears against the assembly and which by its rotation can enable the adjustment.

The pads 39 can also be inflatable, but instead of directly bearing against the user's spine, can drive separate but contacting pads against the spine, where such separate pads are comprised of foams or other materials.

A key aspect of the present invention is that means are provided which interconnect the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece to the shoulder collar assembly; such that these means are manually and incrementally adjustable so that the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece may simultaneously be moved in two explicit directions, one of these being in an anterior/posterior direction, i.e. along the Z axis, and also in a vertical direction with respect to the shoulder collar assembly. Furthermore these two types of simultaneous movement are such that the displacement along the vertical direction is proportional to the incremental simultaneous displacement along the Z axis. The functioning of these principles of the invention are best appreciated by viewing FIG. 38 which very graphically illustrates (at top portion of the Figure) the changes in the configuration (at A, B, and C) of the head and spine and the changes in the spinal lordosis which occur as the foregoing step-wise and time-wise adjustments are effected (via knob 35) in the positioning of the chin-mastoid piece 12 and/or the cheek or jaw piece 19 relative to the shoulder collar assembly 14.

The present invention thus seeks to treat the medical condition now known as Cervical Kyphosis/Forward Head Posture Syndrome. In order to correct this crippling condition, the patient's neck curve must be supported at the precise vertebrae that are causing the reversal of the neck curve while simultaneously repositioning the head rearward to align over the shoulders. This latter movement is a rearward translational movement and not the rotational movement as can be seen in the cited prior art.

FIG. 17 shows an alternate embodiment of an adjustable collar assembly 60 of the present invention for use in positioning the head of a wearer to a desired condition. The collar 60 is used in a similar manner to collar 10 previously discussed. Collar 60 comprises a first assembly member 62 that forms a base support on which is attached a movable second assembly member 64. The second assembly member 64 is adapted to be removed from and move relative to the first assembly member 62 when the collar assembly 60 is in use.

The first assembly member 62 comprises a shoulder pad 66 that is shaped or fit on the shoulders of and around the neck portion of the user. The first assembly member 62 is preferably made of a relatively hard, but relatively flexible and durable polymer such as polypropylene, polyethylene or nylon. Preferably some form of plastic is used for most of the components of the collar assembly 60 to reduce weight and provide a device that is durable when used over a period of time.

The pad 66 has two arms 68 and 70, that are joined together at the back 72 from which a neck support 74 extends away from the two arms 68 and 70. Preferably, the two arms 68 and 70 are made of nylon using an injection molding process that incorporates the back 72, which is made of the same material. To cushion the mounting and use of the pad 66, the collar assembly 60 has durable, but soft cushion material that is attached to the surfaces of the first assembly member that will engage the user. The material is preferably a foam laminate, which may include suede, or other shock absorbing and cushioning material that is comfortable for the user to wear. Faux suede material is preferred that is secured to the bad using an epoxy or industrial grade glue or other securing means known in the art. Similar individual engaging, but comfortable material is also applied to the cheeks and chin portion.

On opposite sides of the arms are an adjustment assembly 76 and 78, which are mirror images of each other relative to an imaginary longitudinal axis extending medial of the collar assembly 60. The adjustment assemblies 76 and 78. Because adjustment assemblies 76 and 78 are mirror images of one another, assembly 76 will be described as illustrative of assembly 78,

Assembly 76 includes a movement means mounted thereto for adjusting the position and condition of the second assembly member. The movement means includes a track 82 that is mechanically engaged with an adjustment member 84. The track 82 has teeth for controlling the movement of the adjustment member 84 relative to the long axis of the track 82. A rotatable knob 86 is used to adjust the position of the adjustment member 84 along the track 82. The knob 86 can be turned clockwise or counterclockwise to control the movement of the adjustment member 84 along the track 82. The adjustment member 84 extends away from the track 82 when it is mounted. The adjustment member 84 provides the support for a tower assembly 88 that is adapted to move in a periscope manner from a lower condition to an upper condition, relative to the long axis of the adjustment member 84. On the opposite side of the collar assembly 60 there is another tower assembly 90, that is the mirror image of the tower assembly 88. Tower assembly 90 is movably joined in periscope fashion to an adjustment member 94, which is movably attached to a track 98. Track 98 and adjustment member 9, operate in the identical manner to the controlled and stepped movement of track 82 relative to adjustment member 84. The position of the adjustment members 84 and 94 move along their respective tracks, preferably in coordination with one another along a longitudinal axis 64 and 64′ of their respective tracks 82 and 98, such that the tower assemblies 88 and 90 will move toward the rear or away from the neck support 74 of the shoulder portion of the collar assembly 60.

Because the tower assemblies 88 and 90 are mirror images of one another, the description of tower assembly 88 will be exemplary of the description of tower assembly 90. As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the tower assembly 88 has a lower condition (FIG. 18) and an upper condition (FIG. 17), so that a third assembly member 100 can move toward and away from the adjustment member 84, which would be toward the bottom of the paper and toward the top of the paper relative to the tower assembly 88. Rotatable knobs 102 and 204 can be turned (preferably in coordination) to adjust the movement of the tower assembly 88 and, by mechanical association, the movement of the tower assembly 90 toward and away from the longitudinal axis 64 and 64′ or, said another way, parallel with the y axis of the adjustment members 84 and 98.

The third member 100 comprises a subassembly having a pair of opposed arms 106 and 108 that are attached separately to the tower assemblies 88 and 90. The assembly of arm 106 to tower member 88 is illustrative and exemplary to the assembly of arm 108 to tower assembly 90. Arm 06 is rotatably mounted to the distal end of the tower assembly 88. Arm includes a base 110 to which an adjustable extended arm 112 is mounted to a chin subassembly 114. The extended arm 112 includes a slot and a releasably locking pin that is shaped to move within a series of openings 116 formed within the interior of the arm 112. The openings 116 facilitate stepped and controlled movement of the chin subassembly 114, so that the piece can be adjusted by sliding the locking pin and securing it in place.

The chin subassembly 114 includes a chin-mastoid piece 118, opposed cheek or jaw pieces 120 and 122, respectively, and a chin receiving member 124 for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar 60 is also provided. The cheek or jaw piece 120 and 122 being movable with respect to the shoulder collar assembly so as to adjust the position of the collar assembly 60. The check or jaw pieces are connected at each of its sides to one of a pair of the tower assemblies 88 and 90. The mounting of the chin assembly 114 enables the collar assembly to move to adjust the position of the wearer's neck and cervical spine, when a fulcrum assembly is operated 124.

As shown in FIG. 23, the fulcrum assembly includes a spring operated thumb screw 127, that is operatively joined to a cap 126 and plate 128 that are assembled with a springs 130 intermediate their inner facing sides. The plate 130 joined to a fulcrum lock keyed mechanism 132 that is use to move a padded adjustment member 134 which is shaped to engage the portion of the neck, to move a certain portion of the vertebra of the cervical spine into a desired position. By turning the thumb screw, the pad will urge against the cervical vertebra, preferably the C2 to C7 vertebra, to return the cervical vertebra to close to its normal anatomical position, as illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29. The thumb knob will remain in place to reduce the lateral movement of the pad when the assembly 60 is mounted on the individual and is in use to adjust the cervical vertebra. Preferably, during use, the thumb knob can be adjusted such that the position of the pad can move along the longitudinal axis, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tracks toward the anterior side of the individual's neck. The movement of the knob is controlled by turning it clockwise to urge the pad toward the spine or counterclockwise to recoil the pad 134.

FIGS. 24 to 39, illustrate the assembly and mounting of the collar assembly 60, shown in FIG. 17. In use, the physician will perform an x-ray of the individual patient and conduct an exam to determine the degree of the translation of the cervical spine from its normal anatomical position. The physician will consider the individual's history, causes of the deformity, physical activities, and the likely cause of the changes to the cervical spine.

On both sides, slide the open ends of the shoulder portion on to the shoulders and apply gentle pressure to help engage the collar assembly 60 on the head of the individual. Then, the knobs on both sides of the tracks assembly are operated so that the tower assembly moves along the track. Leave fulcrum in default lower position or adjust to upper position. To adjust, depress thumbwheel while compressing springs and slide fulcrum up or down.

Turn thumb screw until fulcrum pad moves to desired position. Note: Thumb screw can be adjusted as described in this step while patient is wearing collar if desired. Both posts should be in a full forward position and engaged with track. Flip chin rest up so that it will engage the bottom portion of the chin of the individual. Pull collar over head from back and top, avoiding ears; Loosen small knobs on posts and adjust cheek pads evenly so that they rest on cheek bones. Re-tighten small knobs. Flip chin rest down and adjust as needed by pulling spring buttons out and sliding chin rest up or down, making sure the chin rest is positioned comfortably below chin.

For example, since the FHP is a position that produces damaging structural stress on the entire spine it is reasonable to apply the collar in post-operative spine surgery patients. This applies to cervical, thoracic, or lumbo-pelvic post-surgical procedures. This allows healing of the spinal joints without the damaging shear and moment mechanical stresses produced by the forward head posture position. For the above reasons the collar may also be used in post-traumatic situations from car accidents or sports injuries, etc. Therefore hospitals and EMT personnel will desirably employ its use. The lordosis correction assembly can also be used with conventional cervical collars where forward head posture correction may be difficult, i.e., with older patients where fusion of spinal joints has advanced to a point where minimal movement is possible. These conditions will still benefit from some mild lordosis support. This will reduce some of the mechanical strain and pain in these patients.

The progressive improvement of the cervical lordosis requires precise support to the offending misaligned vertebrae. In the examples cited, the vertebra is CS. As illustrated in FIG. 37, Typically as treatment progresses from A to B in approximately one month, B shows the head moved in the −Z direction to align over the shoulders. There is no extension or tlexion movement required. The neck in B moves in a +Z or forward direction. A full contoured support would not be sufficient because it spreads the support over a large area, CI-C7. Finally, in FIG. 18 at C, the neck curve has been restored to normal and the forward head posture has been repositioned over the shoulders by the collar's upward angled −Z directional movement. These motions and intended clinical correction of Forward Head Posture and Cervical Kyphosis are not discussed in the prior art and could not be achieved by the prior art because there must be simultaneous correction of both forward head posture and a precise support to the misaligned cervical vertebrae in order to change the cervical kyphosis into a cervical lordosis. This treatment will prevent cervical arthritis and cervical disc degeneration and painful neck misalignments.

While the present invention has been set forth in terms of specific embodiments thereof, the instant disclosure is such that numerous variations upon the invention are now enabled to those skilled in the art, which variations yet reside within the scope of the present teachings. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed and limited only by the scope and spirit of the claims now appended hereto. The description of the material used applies to all embodiments described herein, it be understood that the invention covers equivalent material known in the medial and manufacturing arts, which are acceptable to governmental agencies, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration. The embodiments shown are exemplary and it is contemplated that other equivalent forms can be used within the scope of the objects of the invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable forward head posture assembly for use in positioning the head of the wearer to a desired position, the assembly comprising: a first member adapted to be removably-mounted to the wearer,a second member movably and adjustably secured to the first member, the second member having a portion to engage a portion of the body of the wearer and having a first subassembly to enable the second member to move to a desired position, anda third member movably and adjustably secured to the second member, the third member having a portion to engage a portion of the body of the wearer and having a second subassembly to enable the third member to move to a desire position,wherein the user operates the first subassembly to move the head of the wearer from a first condition to a second condition that is desired by the user to move the position of the head to a desired position.

2. A forward head position correction collar comprising: a shoulder collar assembly;a chin-mastoid piece for engaging the head of a wearer of the collar;a cheek or jaw piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar; andmeans for interconnecting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece to the shoulder collar assembly.

3. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 2, further comprising a lordosis correction assembly secured to the rear of the collar and engageable with the rear of the wearer for applying corrective forces by enabling increased pressure to be brought against specified vertebrae.

4. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 3 wherein the lordosis correction assembly comprises a plurality of separate, adjoining units, each having an advanceable surface which can be individually advanced against a selected vertebrae from the posterior of the vertebrae.

5. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 2 operable to allow vertical displacement of the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder assembly and which is proportional to the Z-axis displacement for the chin support piece is that yielded by a point moving at a I 0-25° slope with respect to the Z-axis.

6. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 2 further comprising advanceable surfaces of the units of the correction assembly defined by a plurality of separate side by side pads.

7. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 5 wherein the distal ends of the pads are selectively displaceable toward a wearer's vertebrae to enable selective increase of pressure against selected vertebrae.

8. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 6 wherein the pads are individually inflatable to enable the displacement.

9. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 2 further comprising means for locking the position between said chin mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece and the shoulder assembly when the desired adjustment has been attained.

10. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 8 wherein the locking means are releasable for enabling further adjustment.

11. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 2 further comprising a track and pinion gear provided at each lateral side of the correction collar, to enable balanced displacement at each lateral side of the collar.

12. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 2 wherein the means interconnecting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece to the shoulder collar assembly allows manually and incrementally adjusting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder collar assembly in an anterior/posterior (Z-axis) direction along the Z-axis.

13. The forward head position correction collar according to claim 2 wherein the means interconnecting the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece to the shoulder collar assembly comprises a track affixed to the chin mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece which is disposed at a slope having a vertical to horizontal rate of change corresponding to the vertical and horizontal displacement of the chin mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder assembly and a pinion gear engaged with teeth in the track, and means for displacing the chin mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder assembly in accordance with the rotational position of the pinion gear.

14. A forward-head position correction collar in accordance with claim 2 wherein. vertical displacement of the chin-mastoid piece and/or the cheek or jaw piece with respect to the shoulder assembly is proportional to the Z-axis displacement for the chin support piece and is yielded by a point moving at a 10-25° slope with respect to the Z-axis.

15. A forward head position correction collar in accordance with claim 3 wherein the lordosis correction assembly comprises an inflatable chamber and a surface facing the user which corresponds in shape to the desired corrections.

16. A forward head position correction collar in accordance with claim 3, wherein the lordosis correction assembly is secured to the rear of the collar and is engageable with the rear of a wearer for applying corrective forces to the upper, middle and/or lower cervical spine.