Head and/or neck support device and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to spinal support and a means for support and alignment for the neck in the side, supine or semi prone or prone positions comprising; supporting the user's head and/or neck in a first user position with a first adjustable support means adapted to locate the user's head and/or neck at a first height relative to a supporting surface for the user; supporting the user's head and/or neck in a second user position with a second adjustable support means adapted to locate the user's head and/or neck at a second height relative to a supporting surface for the user; wherein the first and second heights relative to the supporting surface for the user are substantially different such that substantially constant cervical spinal alignment for the user is maintained in both positions.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A head and/or neck support device comprising:
 a frame member for supporting the head and/or upper neck of a user, the frame member adapted to be operatively associated with first and second adjustable support means;   wherein the first adjustable support means is adapted to provide support for the user's head and/or neck in the supine or prone position and the second adjustable support means is adapted to provide support for the user's head and/or neck in the side lying or semi-prone position such that cervical spinal alignment is substantially maintained in both supine and side lying positions.   
     
     
         30 . The support device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein first and second adjustable support means, in combination, are adapted to provide first and second heights, respectively, for the user's head and/or neck with respect to a supporting surface for the support device in the supine/prone and semi-prone/side lying positions, where said first and second heights are different in order to maintain a substantially constant cervical spinal alignment for the user. 
     
     
         31 . The support device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the first and second adjustable support means are biased to provide height adjustment under load of the weight of the user's head and/or neck so as to maintain a substantially constant cervical spinal alignment for the user moving from one to another of a combination of side, supine, semi prone or prone positions. 
     
     
         32 . The support device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the first and second adjustable support means, in combination, are operatively associated to maintain substantially constant cervical spinal alignment during movement of the user between supine/prone and semi-prone/side lying positions. 
     
     
         33 . The support device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the first adjustable support means comprises one of:
 a single mechanism located within a base of the frame member; 
 multiple mechanisms located within a base of the frame member; 
 at least one strap. 
 
     
     
         34 . The support device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the second adjustable support means comprises at least two mechanisms each located within respective side wings of the frame member. 
     
     
         35 . The support device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the frame member is further adapted to accommodate cushioning means for supporting contact with the user's head and/or neck. 
     
     
         36 . The support device as claimed in  claim 29  claims wherein the frame member is further adapted for attachment of at least one therapeutic device. 
     
     
         37 . A method of supporting the head and/or neck of a user comprising the steps of:
 supporting the user's head and/or neck in a first user position with a first adjustable support means adapted to locate the user's head and/or neck at a first height relative to a supporting surface for the user;   supporting the user's head and/or neck in a second user position with a second adjustable support means adapted to locate the user's head and/or neck at a second height relative to a supporting surface for the user;   wherein the first and second heights relative to the supporting surface for the user are substantially different such that substantially constant cervical spinal alignment for the user is maintained in both positions.   
     
     
         38 . The method as claimed in  claim 37  wherein the first and second adjustable support means are biased to provide a self adjustment of height under load of the weight of the user's head and/or neck. 
     
     
         39 . The method as claimed in  claim 37  wherein the first user position is one of the supine or prone positions and the second user position is one of a side lying or semi-prone position. 
     
     
         40 . The support device as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the frame comprises a deformable shell. 
     
     
         41 . The support device as claimed in  claim 40  further comprising strap means extending between the sides of the shell, the strap means being of adjustable length wherein, the arrangement being such that tension applied to the strap means causes the shell to deform to define a height of the support surface. 
     
     
         42 . The support device as claimed in  claim 41  wherein the strap means comprises a plurality of straps spaced between the edges of the shell each strap being independently adjustable in length. 
     
     
         43 . The support device as claimed in  claim 40  wherein apertures are provided in the sides of the shell for receiving the strap means. 
     
     
         44 . The support device as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the rear of the shell comprises at least one transversely extending slot therethrough. 
     
     
         45 . The support device as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the at least one transverse slot is configured to define at least one transverse land. 
     
     
         46 . The support device as claimed in  claim 45  wherein the at least one transverse land is adapted to be grasped to assist in adjusting the strap means. 
     
     
         47 . The support device as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the at least one transverse land supports means thereon for adjustably securing a free end portion of the strap means. 
     
     
         48 . The support device as claimed in  claim 40  further comprising at least one stabilising bar formed from an integral portion of the shell and adapted to remain in line with a supporting surface when the shell is deformed.