CA2740049A1

CA2740049A1 - Universal spinal board

Info

Publication number: CA2740049A1
Application number: CA 2740049
Authority: CA
Inventors: Charlotte A. Donaldson; Megan M. Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-16
Filing date: 2011-05-16
Publication date: 2012-11-16

Abstract

The Universal Spinal Board is a back board designed to completely immobilize a full spectrum of victim ages, heights and weights. This invention significantly reduces movement of victims who may have suffered spinal cord injury, reducing the risk of further injury to the spine during the rescue procedure. Ridges along the lateral sides of the spinal board combined with runners along the underside of the board allow for a wide variance in free moving strap placement. This accommodates any body size.
A
textured foam rubber surface extends slightly beyond the rigid portion of the spinal board, assisting in holding straps securely. This textured foam rubber surface also moulds to and holds the victim in place on the board. Rubber spacers surrounding hand holes serve to reduce potential injury to lifesavers. The Universal Spinal Board secures small and large victims and aids in the comfort and safety of all users.

Description

Description This invention is a spinal board that immobilizes spinal cord injury victims of all sizes.
A standard spinal board is designed primarily for use on adult victims.
Special boards are available to accommodate children and youths; however, neither board can properly secure a wide range of victim shapes and sizes. Unfortunately an accident victim's size cannot be predetermined and carrying multiple size spinal boards to an accident scene is impractical. As a result, many accident victims with spinal damage are placed at risk of incremental trauma to the spinal cord due to inadequate immobilization during rescue and transportation to medical facilities.
Standard spinal boards typically incorporate slots along the sides of the board to facilitate strap placement. While this can accommodate most adults, these slots can restrict the optimal strap placement on children and youths. This less than ideal strap placement on many victims can allow body movement, which can have catastrophic results for those with spinal injuries. Aquatic rescues are further complicated by the "slip and slide" factor created by wet surfaces on a conventional spinal board.
This spinal board incorporates several features which improve the performance of conventional spinal boards in terms of immobilization of the victim. They are all designed to reduce victim movement. This board also improves the comfort level of victims during prolonged periods spent on the spinal board.
Drawings included in the Application:
Figure 1. is a top view of the spinal board.
Figure 2. is a bottom view of the spinal board.
Figure 3. is a cross sectional view of the spinal board at the mid-point of its length.
Figure 4. is a bottom view of the spinal board with all straps attached.
Figure 5. is a. top view of the spinal board with the head pack attached.
Modifications have been made to the means in which the straps are positioned and secured on the board and victim, thus significantly reducing body and spinal movement.
Figures 1., 2., 4. and 5. show a top and bottom view of the board, outlining the ridges (1) along the full length of both sides of the Universal Spinal Board. This ridge and valley design offers a practical means of providing limitless strap placement to accommodate all body sizes.

To enhance the ability to secure a wide range of victim sizes to the board, a means was required to allow straps to freely slide the entire length of the board without becoming separated from the board and potentially lost. To facilitate these requirements, figure 2.
and 4. shows runners (5) attached to the bottom of the board and running the length of the torso portion. Figure 3 shows a cross section of the board at the mid-point and demonstrates the positioning of these same runners (5) in relation to the bottom of the board. These runners can also serve as slides for the board during rescue.
This reduces strain on the rescuer and also reduces the chance of additional victim movement in removal from the accident scene.
Figures 1., 2., 3., 4. and 5. all show the placement of textured foam rubber matting (2) on the upper surface of the spinal board. This rubber (2) serves several purposes. The rubber surface over the entire victim contact surface allows the victim's body to somewhat mould into the rubber, ensuring it is better held in place. This further prevents movement, especially during an aquatic rescue. Figure 2., 3. and 4. show this textured foam rubber matting (2) extending beyond the edge of the rigid, weight bearing portion of the board.
This overlap allows the straps to better grip the board, thus further reducing strap and subsequent victim movement. This foam rubber surface also significantly increases the victims comfort during an extended period on the board. This increased comfort reduces stress levels in the victim and provides for a greater chance to keep the victim calm during and after the rescue. Finally, the foam surface provides insulation and warmth for the victim.
Figures 1., 2., 4. and 5. show the board maintains its full width (3) for its entire length when compared to a standard board's tapered shape. This makes the board easier for rescuers to manoeuvre due to increased leverage.
Figures 2. and 4. shows various rubber spacers (6) around the hand holes (4) which facilitate rescuers gripping the board without finger pinch during lifting the board or setting it down. These also act as shock absorbers when placing the board and secured victim on a hard surface.
During rescue procedures, high stress levels and chaotic work settings can create potential delays or issues resulting from confusion in strap selection, coupling or securing. Figure 4.
shows strap (7) placement on the board. On the Universal Spinal Board, each of these straps (7) is a different colour, or if one colour straps are used, each strap has a different colour buckle (8) to minimize confusion or delays while securing the victim.
Figure 5 shows the placement of the head pack (9) on the board.

Claims

1 Claims The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are as follows.

1. A spinal board wherein the lateral sides of the board are constructed in a ridge and valley design for the purpose of varying the placement of straps for securing a victim on the board.

2. A spinal board wherein the upper surface of the board is covered with a textured foam rubber matting to facilitate securing the victim.

3. A spinal board wherein the upper surface of the board is covered with a textured foam rubber matting to provide increased victim comfort.

4. A spinal board wherein the upper surface of the board is covered with a textured foam rubber matting to provide insulation for the victim.

5. A spinal board wherein the textured foam rubber matting in claim 2 is extended beyond the edge of the surface of the board to facilitate increased strap grip on the board.

6. A spinal board wherein the width of the board is maintained for its entire length to increase structural strength of the board.

7. A spinal board wherein the width of the board is maintained for its entire length to increase leveraging opportunities to assist with moving the board while transporting the board, either while empty or with a victim secured to it.

8. A spinal board wherein runners are placed on the bottom side of the board, parallel to the sides of the board and extending the length of the board to facilitate securing straps to the board.

9. A spinal board wherein runners are placed on the bottom side of the board, parallel to the lateral sides of the board and extending the length of the board to facilitate providing greater options for strap placement.

10. A spinal board wherein runners are placed on the bottom side of the board, parallel to the lateral sides of the board and extending the length of the board to provide a means to assist with moving or sliding the board while either loaded or empty.

11. A spinal board wherein rubber spacers are placed on the bottom side of the board to reduce finger or hand pinch during lifting or placing the board down.

12. A spinal board wherein rubber spacers are placed on the bottom side of the board to act as shock absorbers to reduce impact to the victim when the loaded board is set down.

13. A spinal board wherein rubber spacers are placed on the bottom side of the board to ease access to lifting slots or handles.

14. A spinal board wherein handling slots are placed wide enough apart to assist the rescuer with lift efficiency.

15. A spinal board wherein the straps are different colours to prevent confusion and expedite securing the victim.

16. A spinal board wherein the colour of the buckles matches the strap colour to prevent confusion and expedite securing the victim.

17. A spinal board wherein if a single colour strap is used, each matching set of buckles are a different colour to prevent confusion and expedite securing the victim.