WO2014011123A1

WO2014011123A1 - Dorso-cervical pillow

Info

Publication number: WO2014011123A1
Application number: PCT/TH2012/000025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivan Erling PEDERSEN
Original assignee: Pedersen Ivan Erling
Priority date: 2012-07-13
Filing date: 2012-07-13
Publication date: 2014-01-16

Abstract

A dorso-cervical pillow includes: a dual layer foam with different densities and chemical composition with a dorsal wedge and a convex cervical curve; or a layer of Dacron or like hollow micro-fibers that covers the pillow before it is inserted in the pillow case; or two cut-out indentations of a specific diameter and depth in the cervical convex curve of the pillow.

Description

Description of the Invention

Name of the Invention: Dorso-Cervical Pillow Field of Invention:

Anatomical contoured head, neck and shoulder girdle support pillow used for bedding, travel and surgical tables.

Background of the Invention:

Original patented version of the "Operationspude" (copy right registered in Denmark on 18^th November 1980 # M.A.I 980 nr. 318 by Erling Pedersen, Inventor), and Dorso-Cervical Surgical pillow (US Patent Des. 276,938 filed on May 1^st 1980 and patent issued on

December 25^th 1984 to Erling Pedersen, Inventor) to be re-patented and/or copy righted by and through the enclosed new inventions that elaborates on the original patent by its inventor. The new Patent builds new features on the original patented version and the full new and changed version to be patented by its inventor. The new pillow conforms in basic design and function with the originally patented surgical dorso-cervical contour pillow as described in the patent. There are three major new design features added to the original design that are claimed to be a substantial change of design and function. The original dorsal wedge that flow into the cervical convex curve flows into a concave portion that supports the occipital region and the back of the head while ending its course in a smooth cut off at the back of the pillow.

The densities are not design features and thus do not influence the patented product.

Therefore, the patent is valid regardless of densities of foam.

Objectives of the Invention:

The pillow according to the original and present invention is to be used as a sleeping-travel- and/or medical bed and/or surgical table accessory to provide support of the head, neck and shoulder girdle during rest and/or sleep in the supine and side positions. It is essentially made of polyurethane foam with different densities and cut to shape to specifically fit the anatomical design of the upper body according to scientifically accepted normal anatomical curves of the spine. The design also accommodates standard deviations and variations found in the human spine. The new Invention includes 1) A dual layer foam with different densities and chemical composition with a dorsal wedge and a convex cervical curve, 2) a layer of Dacron or like hollow micro-fibers that covers the pillow before it is inserted in the pillow case, and 3) Two cut-out indentations of a specific diameter and depth in the cervical convex curve of the design in a specific distance from the mid line

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view of the dorso-cervical pillow detailing the upper layer made of low density memory foam (A);

Fig. 2 is a side view of the dorso-cervical pillow detailing the lower layer of a high density Polyurethane foam (B);

Fig. 3 is a side view of the dorso-cervical pillow detailing the dorsal wedge (C);

Fig. 4 is a side view of the dorso-cervical pillow detailing the cervical convex curve (D) and the concave head rest curve (E);

Fig. 5 is a top and side view of the dorso-cervical pillow detailing two cut-outs (F) and (G) in the convex Cervical curve (D) placed at equal distance from the center line (H) of the pillow; Fig. 6 is a side view of the dorso-cervical pillow showing a layer of micro^fibers across the top of the pillow (I) placed inside a pillow case (J);

Fig. 7 is a top view of the dorso-cervical pillow seen inside a standard US/Asian size pillow case which extends on either side of the dorso-cervical foam pillow detailing the micro-fibers extending on either side of the dorso-cervical foam pillow in the extended gap;

Fig. 8 is a front view of the dorso-cervical pillow seen from the dorsal wedge (C) and cervical convex curve (D) angle showing the two cut-out features (F) and (G) in the cervical convex curve (D) with a layer of micro-fibers (I) enveloped in a pillow case (J)

Detailed Description of the Invention

A new and improved functional pillow design enhanced with three new features in addition to in the key features of the Inventor's original patented design US Patent Des. 276,938 The original key patented features of the dorsal wedge in connection with the cervical convex curve remain as the key features of the design. The three new features are:

1. First claim: A dual foam "sandwich" comprising of a firm density polyurethane foam bottom (fig. 2- B) and a low density memory foam top (fig. 1- A). The original dorso- cervical contours are cut in the two layers where the higher density foam (fig 2 - B) is used to provide the dorsal wedge feature (fig. 3- C) which gives firm support for the dorsal spine and shoulder girdle in the supine position. This layer (fig. 2- B) also provides the counter force to the weight of the head as it sinks into the memory foam on the concave head rest curve (fig. 4- E) preventing the head from gradually sinking to the bottom of the pillow. Instead the bottom higher density layer (fig. 2- B) forces the head and neck to remain in the correct anatomical position. The upper, low density memory foam (fig. 1- A) provides the support for the cervical spine on the cervical convex curve (fig. 4- D). The concave head rest curve (fig. 4- E) provides the support for the back of the head. The cervical neck will make an impression into the convex cervical form (fig. 4- D) and the back of the head will make its impression into the concave head rest curve (fig. 4- E) memory foam, which provides a "cupping" action around the neck and head.

The "dorsal wedge" (fig 3- C) is essential for the pillow's functional design as it provides essential support for the shoulder girdle, the lower cervical spine, the upper dorsal (thoracic) spine and the back of the shoulder blades during sleep and rest in the supine position. The weight of the shoulder girdle and chest is greater than that of the cervical spine and head. In this invention the physical properties of the "dorsal wedge" and cervical convex curve have been changed to include a two layered configuration (fig. 1- A and B) . The "dorsal wedge" (fig 3- C) is cut in the higher density foam to avoid excessive compression by the shoulder girdle and to provide a sufficient counter force to oppose the weight of the head and neck. The function of the "dorsal wedge" (fig 3- C) is also to distribute the weight of the shoulder girdle across its surface. This in turn makes it possible for the cervical spine to achieve a relaxed posture as the ideal anatomical alignment is maintained. The "dorsal wedge" (fig. 3- C) and the cervical convex curve (fig. 4- D) distributes the weight of the shoulder girdle, maintains the normal anatomical cervical curve. Therefore the transition area between the cervical spine and the dorsal spine would NOT come under undue stress and prevents the trachea from being bent and/or compressed. This prevents strained breathing, snoring and sleep apnea. It would also provide uninhibited access for the insertion of tubes and instruments through the throat during surgical procedures while the user is under full anesthesia as well as uninhibited access to the throat for oral surgical procedures. In dental chairs the pillow provides support to the neck and shoulders of the patient.

The "cervical convex curve" (fig. 4- D) is cut in the upper layer of low density memory foam. This provides softness to the cervical spine and to the back of the head. The memory function of the foam lets the cervical spine and the back of the head slowly sink into the foam which provides a molded support for the neck and head as the foam does not retract to its original shape while under compression during use. After use the foam will gradually retract to its original shape. 2. Second claim: Fig. 6,7, and 8 show the second claim. The purpose of the second claim is to give a contour pillow the visual shape of a "standard rectangular US and Oriental" pillow while remaining true to the original dorso-cervical design criteria or to any other contour pillow design criteria. This new feature is built around a standard size and/or shape of a dorso-cervical pillow (fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) or of any other contour pillow by covering the top surface of the contour pillow with a layer of special micro fibers (fig. 6- 1) (Dacron microfibers or similar hollow fiber material). The contour pillow is inserted into a pillow case which can be made of a variety of fabrics and which is larger than the subject contour pillow. A correct placement of the pillow in middle of the pillow case will leave space on top of the upper surface of the pillow and on either side of the pillow inside of the pillow case (fig. 7- 1) which spaces are then filled with micro fibers in precise layers and sufficient quantity to make the Dorso-Cervical or other contour pillow appear like and feel like a" regular" down or fiber filled pillow. The new Dorso-Cervical or other presently known contour pillow will have their anatomical support shapes of the contours of the pillow felt though the fiber layer by the user. 3. The third claim: Inclusion of two cut-outs in the convex cervical curve (fig. 5- F and G) to accommodate the shape of the human ear when the user is in the side position. The cutouts (fig. 5 - F and G) are made at equal distance from the midline (fig 5- H). The cut-outs are placed in a position and are shaped such that the right or left ear will position itself into the cut-out void when the user is turning to a right or left side posture position. The cut-outs are oval in shape which accommodates the ear and the cheek of the user in the side posture position.

The dorsal wedge will support the downward turned shoulder in the side position. The middle area of the cervical convex curve between the two cut-outs (fig. 5-F and G) also provides cervical support in the side position as well as it does in supine position.

Claims

1) A dual foam "sandwich" made of a firm density polyurethane foam bottom (fig. 2- B) featuring a functional dorsal wedge (fig. 3- C), and a low density memory foam top featuring a functional convex Cervical curve (fig. 1-D). The design supports the normal anatomical curves of the cervical and upper thoracic (dorsal) spine as well as the entire shoulder girdle while a person is in the supine or side posture.

2) A Dorso-Cervical contour bed pillow and travel pillow covered with a layer of micro fibers (Dacron or similar), and is filled with the same type of fibers on either end of the contour pillow inside the pillow case.

3) A Dorso-cervical pillow with a dorsal wedge (fig 3-C) and ear comfort zones. The invention has specifically designed cut-outs that are placed in equal distance from the mid line (fig F- H) of the pillow and have a depth of 3 - 4 cm (fig.5- F and G)