Cervical collar and methods of manufacture and use

摘要

A cervical collar includes a flexible, elongate support member having two ends, a longitudinal axis, an initial length, and a plurality of slits near at least one end. Each slit defines a terminal segment of the support member and a connective link between the terminal segment and the remainder of the support member. A connector is provided for securing together the two ends. The support member may be manufactured by forming slits near at least one end of a flexible support member. The collar may be applied to a patient by providing a support member which is longer than is needed for the patient's neck, removing a terminal segment of the support member to adjust the length so that the support member is sized to appropriately encircle the patient's neck, flexing the support member around the patient's neck, and connecting the ends of the support member together.

主权项

1. A method for applying a cervical collar to a patient, comprising:
providing a support member having two ends and an initial length longer than is needed for the patient's neck; removing a terminal segment of the support member to adjust the length so that the support member is sized to appropriately encircle the patient's neck to inhibit movement of the patient's head when the ends of the support member are joined in abutting relation to each other; flexing the support member around the patient's neck; and applying a connector to loin the ends of the support member together; wherein the support member has an elongate configuration with two ends, a longitudinal axis, an internal bore and an initial length, and a plurality of slits near at least one end, the slits being coextensive with the internal bore; and wherein each slit serves to define the terminal segment of the support member, a remainder of the support member and a connective link between the terminal segment and the remainder of the support member; and wherein removing the terminal segment comprises exposing an internal bore and applying the connector comprises inserting the connector into the internal bore.