CA2196765A1 - Cervical pillow with variable thickness head and neck portions - Google Patents
Cervical pillow with variable thickness head and neck portionsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2196765A1 CA2196765A1 CA002196765A CA2196765A CA2196765A1 CA 2196765 A1 CA2196765 A1 CA 2196765A1 CA 002196765 A CA002196765 A CA 002196765A CA 2196765 A CA2196765 A CA 2196765A CA 2196765 A1 CA2196765 A1 CA 2196765A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- user
- lateral
- portions
- neck
- pillow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 210000000115 thoracic cavity Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 206010011985 Decubitus ulcer Diseases 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 210000003300 oropharynx Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 206010041235 Snoring Diseases 0.000 claims description 8
- 208000001797 obstructive sleep apnea Diseases 0.000 claims description 5
- 206010050031 Muscle strain Diseases 0.000 claims description 2
- 210000002758 humerus Anatomy 0.000 claims 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 208000019116 sleep disease Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 description 2
- 208000020685 sleep-wake disease Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 208000000884 Airway Obstruction Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000007590 Disorders of Excessive Somnolence Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010013975 Dyspnoeas Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 244000228957 Ferula foetida Species 0.000 description 1
- 101150048484 Nrgn gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 206010062519 Poor quality sleep Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000037007 arousal Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000037265 diseases, disorders, signs and symptoms Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000035475 disorder Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000399 orthopedic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000001184 pharyngeal muscle Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 201000002859 sleep apnea Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000003860 sleep quality Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000000446 sulfanediyl group Chemical group *S* 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
- A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G9/00—Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
- A47G9/10—Pillows
- A47G9/1081—Pillows comprising a neck support, e.g. a neck roll
- A47G9/109—Pillows comprising a neck support, e.g. a neck roll adapted to lie on the side and in supine position
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/065—Rests specially adapted therefor
- A61G7/07—Rests specially adapted therefor for the head or torso, e.g. special back-rests
- A61G7/072—Rests specially adapted therefor for the head or torso, e.g. special back-rests for the head only
Abstract
A U-shaped pillow (10) provides for the maximization of the cross-sectional area of the air passage of the user at the level of the oropharynx. The user's head is extended backwards in the supine position and the user's occiput rests directly against the underlying mattress. Additionally the pillow has lateral head resting portions (20, 22) forming the legs of the U connected to a central region (26) by a transitional region (28, 30), collectively forming the bottom of the U, that is dimensioned so that the user's thoracic and cervical spine are maintained substantially aligned when the user rolls between the supine and lateral decubitus positions.
Description
W096/03903 ~ ~;6?bs F~ S-~JIU
CERVICAL PIL~OW WITH V~T~RT~ THICKNESS
HEAD AND NECK PORTIONS
r- OF ~E lhv~ll-It is estimated that nearly thirty million r r~nn suffer from some sort of sleep disorder. Frequently, the sleep disorder has a major impact upon the quality of life, manifesting itself in work absenteeism, reduction in the quality of work, injury on the job, marital stress, drug d~p~n~rnry, and variou8 pgyrhr7ogirAl disorders. The f;nAnriAl impact upon T 'rAn bnn;nrgn is 8~Agg~r; nq and is estimated to be greater than ten billion dollars annually.
One of the more common major sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnea. In this Affl ;r~;rn~ there is Ppi no~i r clo8ure of the airway, resulting in the obstruction of breathing. r ' y of mucous ~ over-rPl AYn~ i n~ of pharyngeal muscles, and/or poor anatomical positioning of the head and neck appear to account for this F~ to varying degrees. When the airway is completely obstructed, the individual stops breathing for a period of time ranging from several seconds to several minutes. The struggle to breathe becomes 80 frantic that the individual begins to wake up.
This arousal from deep sleep results in a temporary reversal of the underlying sleep process 80 that the individual may take several gasping breaths before falling back into deeper sleep. This cycle may be repeated numerous times a night.
Under rrn~;ti~nn where airway obstruction is i _lete, there i5 some passage of air, resulting in an pl~A~nt gound known as snoring created by the W096/03903 ~ ~ 9 ~ lu vibration of the relaxed mucous ' --. While the quality of sleep of snoring individuals may not be greatly affected, the quality of sleep of nearby individuals may be ~ignifi~ntly and adversely affected.
IIO1CUVCL~ a sizable number of people who snore do suffer from daytime somnolence or exhaustion, an indication of poor sleep quality.
There have been uus attemptY to PliminAte or reduce obstructive sleep apnea or snoring through various pillow designs, with mixed results. One of the more ~uuucsDLul ~p~u.ua~l-es has been to incuL~uuL~Le a pillow feature which ~ UU~--J ~ the individual to extend the neck so that the ULU38 3e_Lional area of the airway is increased. Features which ~ncollr~ge such ~n~t~ ~Al p~ti~ning nre ~g~rihed in v~rious U.S. Patents such as Nos. 4,850,067; 5,014,377, and 5,123,132. Many of the pillow de3igns for ~limin~t;~n or reduction of oLDLLu~Live sleep apnea or snoring employ LL~deorLs between -~ hing this objective and comfort, using L t~hniq~ to O.ICUUL~yc the user to sleep in one position ~8 opposed to another. r _le~ of these designs include U.S. Patents 4,536,905 and 4,748,702.
Still others restrict the vc of the user during 81eep. r , 1eB of the8e de8igns include U.S. Patent8 4,118,813 and 4,349,925. Various types of pillows have also been ~Pci~npd for orthopedic cervical support.
These include U.S. Patents 3,574,397; 4,424,599;
4,494,261; 4,550,458; 5,016,303; and 5,038,432.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pillow DLLuuLuLc that reduces the frequency and severity of obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, thereby improving the quality of sleep of the user and nearby individuals.
~ W096/03903 ~ ~' 67'65 It i5 still another object of the present invention to provide a pillow structure that reduces the frequency and severity of obstructive sleep apnea or snoring without resorting to physical discomfort or restricting user mobility.
I~t i~s a further object of the present invention to provide a pillow structure that r-Y;m; 7~q the cros3-sectional area of the user's airway passage at the level of the oropharynx when the user is in a supine position, yet permitting the user to easily roll into the lateral decubitus position with the lateral side of the user's head abutting lateral side portions of the pillow.
It is yet another object of the present invention to reduce the pot~nt;Al for neck strain by providing for a pillow structure that places the cervical and thoracic spine of the user in substantially coextengive Al;; ~, in the supine and lateral decubitus positions and thL~uyll~uL the rolling ~. ~ between these pogjt;nn~.
Other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the fnll~ -ng degcription and Arp~ d drawings wherein there is shown and described a preferred : ' '; L of the present invention.
~UW~DURY OF T~E lh~n~_ A pillow in ac~Ldan~ with the present invention ~ a central, supine neck resting portion having a convexly curved upper surface and a width about equal to the length of a user's neck from the base of the fikull to the base of the neck, a pair of elevated left and right lateral, neck resting portions having convexly curved upper s~rfA~e~, transitional portions having a curved :
W096/03903 ~ u_ ~C,~lu upper surface connecting the lower central portion with the elevated left and right lateral neck resting portions, and a pair of substantially planar, headrest portions each connected to a respective lateral neck resting portion. The maximum ~ ~ ~ssed height and uuLv~LuLe of the neck resting central portion under the weight of the user, while lying supine, is such that the cervical spine is supported in its natural ~ulvaLuLe, with the head and neck fully ~t~n~d backwards (towards the ~LL1~05). This p~8ifio~ ~~Yimi7~ the cross-sectional area of the air passage of the user at the level of the oropharynx. The height of the _ _ ~3~. 1 transitional portion upper surfaces varies from a minimum about equal to the height of the l~"~ ~sed central portion upper surface and a maximum about equal to the height of the _ ~s~ed lateral portion upper surfaces. The diatance between the center line of the pillow and the juncture of the tra~sitional portions and the re3pective connected lateral portions is less than or equal to the distance between the center line of the pillow and the lateral edge of the shoulder of a user lying in a supine position. Additionally, the height of the _ ~aned lateral neck resting portions is about equal to the height of the user~ 8 cervical spine above the underlying mattress when the user assumes a side-resting or lateral decubitus position. These ~LLUULUL~1 limitations ensure that the user, when rolling from a supine position to a lateral decubitus p~iti~n~ is able to position the lateral side of his or her head against one of the lateral headrest portions and to have his or her cervical spine in substantially coP~t~nnive A1;; L
with his or her thoracic spine throughout the entire rolling motion.
As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different ~ , including one which incuL,uUL~tes ~ thin, substantially planar, supine ~ W096l03903 ~.~t 96765 P~ J/U
headreat portion. These : -'i L8 are capable of lifir~tions in varioua, obvioua aapects, all without departing from the invention. ~ccordingly, the drawings ~ and descriptiona will be L~y~Lded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
c._ OF THE
Figure 1 is an oblique pel~ueuLive of a pillow ccnDLLuuLion in accuLdance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the pillow construction of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a pillow con~LLuuLion in accordance with the present invention taken along lines 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a sectional view of a pillow construction in ~CUL~1 n~e with the present invention taken along lines 4-4 of Figure l; and Figure 5 is a p~L~y~uLive of an alternative pillow conDL~uuLion in accordance with the present invention.
rV~TT~n ~ _-nl~__ OF T~E l.~rLsru~
RefeIellce is first made to the p~LD,ueuLive of Figure 1 in which character numeral 10 refers to a pillow having a g~n~r~lly ~-shaped config~lr~tion with se~ti~n~ or portions of various heights and ~uLv~Lul~D. The composition of the pillow is preferably a soft, _ _ eDaible material having a r~ n~y s~lffi~i~nt for the pillow ~uL~sDed at any location by the user's head or neck to return to its original shape after the w096/03903 ~f~b7~5 ~ u pressure has been released. Compositions 3uitable for use can include, but are not limited to, any foams selected from the family of polyurethane or polyolefin foams, preferably open celled foams with a compression deflection of about 0.5 to 2.0 inches ~ r~
~inplr ' for a foam thio~n~r~ of 4 to 6 inches due to a weight of about 10 pounds. In terms of ILD resiliency values, the expected range is 3 to 30 ILD, with preferred values generally from 10 to 20 ILD. ILD is a standard unit of measurement used for resiliency or firmne33, frequently employed in the manufacture of pillows. See, for example, U.S. Patent 5,128,132 issued June 23, 1992 to Linda H. Dixon. An ILD value of lO means that a 10 pound weight would ~i~pl~e a surface of a four inch thick piece of foam material by one inch. The major characteristic of the foamed material with respect to deflection ~ssion is density. Foamed materials can be manufactured at about any density desired. Thus, the important aspect of the present invention is to select a density or densities that provide the various . ~ssion r~i~n~ desired. A8 ~i~C-lr8~ below, a proper ~6sion deflection is needed to ensure that the correct AnAt~ positions of the user are maintained in order to promote restful sleep. Open celled foams are p,~feL,~d due to their ability to repeatedly ~pring back into their original shape with mini~al cell breakdown.
Pillow 10 is provided with elevated left and right lateral neck resting portions 12, 14 each with a convexly curved upper surface 16 and 18, respectively. For the adult user, the vertical height 24 of _ ~ssed portions 12, 14 is preferably about 4 to 8 inches, or approximately the width of the user's shoulder. Curved upper surfaces 16, 18 have a ~uLvaLuLe which is - li rry to the lateral ~uLvatuLe of a user's neck from the top of the shoulder to the base of the head of the user. A preferred range of radii of curvature of ~ W096/03903 ~ 1 9 6 7 6 5 r~ IU
upper surfaces 16, 18 is about 2 to 4 inches. Fxtending outward from the lateral neck resting portions are substantially planar left and right lateral headrest - portions 20 and 22. G~n~rAlly, the vertical height denoted by line 21 of portions 20 and 22 can range from a vertical height about equal to the vertical height of portions 12 and 14 to a vertical height that is aubstantially less. Preferably the vertical height of Ull~ _ ~3sed portiops 20, 22 iB about 3 to 7 inche3.
The vertiaal height of the head and neck resting portions will ne~essAr;ly vary -t, ~p~n~ing upon the head, neck and shoulder ~i R i nn R of the user and - .~Aihility of the pillow and underlying body support ~LLU~LU1~ or ~LL
When, as shown in Figure 4, the lateral site of a user's neck is resting against curved surfaces 16 or 18 and the lateral side of the user's head is lying against the COLL ~on~ing lateral headrest portion 20 or 22, the vertical heights of the ~ ed lateral neck resting portion, denoted by line 24a, and the . ~ssed lateral headrest portion, denoted by line 21a, should be such that the cervical spine 27 of the user i3 ~o;ntAinnd in substantially ~coextensive Al;; ' ~ with the thoracic spine 29 of the user. The human spinal column has natural ~uLv~LuLe5 to the cervical and thoracic regions.
As set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,494,261, the position of the body providing the natural curvature is termed the "phyAio~ogir' position. In the context of this ~nA~rirtinn~ the use of "co-extensive A~ should be understood to be ~yll~lly R with this ~phyRinlo~
position. Op~rAt;nnAlly, coextensive Ali L exists when an imaginary line passing through the foramina of the T1 and C7 vertebrae extends also through the foramen of the C1 vertebra. A typical vertical height of _ ~ ~ ' lateral neck resting portions needed to maintain an av~L~y~ sized adult~3 spine in this W0 96/03gO3 '~ /U
sub3tantially coextensive alignment is about 3 to 6 inches, while a typical vertical height of the ~_ esDed lateral headrest portions is about 2 to 5 inches. It i8 important that the vertical heights of the cssad lateral headrest and neck resting portions be properly Delected to ensure the substantially coextensive Al i 3 L of the cervical and thoracic 3pine. Thus, the compressed vertical height 24a 3hould be 8~1 ect~ to ~ulLeD~vlld to a distance about one inch less than the width of the user's shoulder, as measured from the lateral edge thereof to the lateral edge of the user~s neck. Similarly, the _ ~sed vertical height 21a should be selected to cuL~c~uu..d to a distance about one inch le3s than the distance from the lateral edge of the user's head to the level of the lateral edge of his shoulder when cervical spine 29 i8 in substantially coextensive Al il; ' with thoracic spine 27.
Positioned between left and right lateral portions 12, 14 i3 a central supine neck resting portion 26 connected to the lateral portions by left and right transitional neck resting portion3 28, 30. A8 can be seen from Figure 1, pillow 10 forms a U-shape about a center area 32. Center area 32 is preferably open, such that the back of the user's head (occiput), lying in the supine position, directly abuts an underlying supporting surface such a3 a m~LLL~D. Alternatively, as ~hown in Figure 5, a planar pillow ~Yt~n~lnn or supine headrest portion 34 of preferably minimal c6sed thi~n~s, i.e., about one inch or less, may be used ~Yt~n~;ng between the left and right lateral portions 12, 14 and central portion 26. Supine headrest portion 34 may be made of a foamed material having a greater density than other pillow portions so as to help maintain the ;ntegr;ty of the pillow when being handled.
Additionally, supine headrest portion 34 can ~Ar;litAte covering pillow 10 with a pillow case by providing a ~ W096/03903 219~7~6~ u rectangular section to pillow 10.
Central portion 26 has a convexly curved upper ~ surface 36 to cu--tD~--d with the natural curvature of the user's neck. Central portion 26 has an UL~ SSed height of about 1.5 to 4 inches and a compressed height (shown by line 36a) of about 1 to 3 inches. The compressed height i8 such that when the user is lying in a supine position with the back of the neck resting against surface 36 and the back of the head c0ntA~ting area 32, the user's head and neck are fully PYtQn~P~. It has been found that this position is within the comfort zone of the user and provides for a maximum opening of the air rA~, y of the user at the level of the ul~haLy~. The curved upper surface 36 provides a ry ghape for abutment against the curved surface of the user's neck. The preferred range of radii of ~uLv~Lu-t of the surface 36 is about 1 to 4 inches.
Transitional portions 28, 30 provide for an increasing vertical height from the lower central portion 26 to the elevated lateral neck re3ting portions 12, 14.
The function of the transitional portions is to provide continuous neck support for a user when the user rolls between the supine position and the lateral decubitus position, while co~ Lly ;nt~;n;ng the substantially coextensive ~1;; L between the cervical and thoracic spine.
To ensure substantially coextensive ~1;; of the user~s th~r~;n and cervical spine in the supine and lateral decubitus positions, and during the roll between the two positions, and to ensure ~-Y;m;7~tion of the ~L~33 3L_Lional area of the user~s air passage, it is nPce88Ary that certain pillow DL-u~Lu-t g r;P~ be obL_Lvtd. First, as ~;~c~ Pd above, a proper vertical height of the tssed lateral headrest and neck W096103903 2 1 9 ~ 7 ~ u resting portions i3 required to ensure the substantially coexten3ive Al; j t when the user i9 in the lateral decubitus position. Second, a proper vertical height of the c essed central portion is necessary to promote user comfort and to maximize the ~l~ss~ Lional area of the air pAC~n~J-J-y at the oropharynx level when the user is in the supine positionO Finally, to ensure that the user's lateral neck side alway3 rests against the lateral neck resting portion when the user has rolled into a lateral decubitus position, the rolling radius of a user must be equal to or slightly greater than the distance from the pillow center line to the transitional/lateral juncture. ~he rolling radius of the user is defined here to mean the distance from the lateral edge of the user's shoulder to the center line of the user. Generally, the user, as observed by inventor, will be more or less centered with respect to pillow 10 when lying in the supine position, thus meaning that the user's thoracic and cervical spine will be within the same plane as the center line of the pillow. Referring to Figure 2, it may be seen that line a- Ie~- e~_.lL8 the length of supine neck resting portion 26. It i~ preferable that portion 26 have a length that approximates the width of a user~s neck. Line "b" Ie~1e~e..Ls the distance from the center line 38 of the pillow and supine neck resting portion 26 to the juncture 40 between transitional portions 28, 30 and respective lateral neck resting portions 12, 14.
Line "c" Le~ ~ lc the rolling radius. It is important to note that transitional portions 28, 30 serve to provide support to the user's neck and to maintain the substantially co~yt~cive Ali~ L between the thoracic and cervical spine during the rolling ~ L between the supine and lateral decubitus positions.
In this ~i~cl~s~lre, there is shown and described only the preferred ~ of the invention, but it is understood that the invention is capable of changes and W0 96/03903 2 '1 q~ '' r~ u 'ifir~tiong within the scope of the inventive concept as ~ eed herein.
CERVICAL PIL~OW WITH V~T~RT~ THICKNESS
HEAD AND NECK PORTIONS
r- OF ~E lhv~ll-It is estimated that nearly thirty million r r~nn suffer from some sort of sleep disorder. Frequently, the sleep disorder has a major impact upon the quality of life, manifesting itself in work absenteeism, reduction in the quality of work, injury on the job, marital stress, drug d~p~n~rnry, and variou8 pgyrhr7ogirAl disorders. The f;nAnriAl impact upon T 'rAn bnn;nrgn is 8~Agg~r; nq and is estimated to be greater than ten billion dollars annually.
One of the more common major sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnea. In this Affl ;r~;rn~ there is Ppi no~i r clo8ure of the airway, resulting in the obstruction of breathing. r ' y of mucous ~ over-rPl AYn~ i n~ of pharyngeal muscles, and/or poor anatomical positioning of the head and neck appear to account for this F~ to varying degrees. When the airway is completely obstructed, the individual stops breathing for a period of time ranging from several seconds to several minutes. The struggle to breathe becomes 80 frantic that the individual begins to wake up.
This arousal from deep sleep results in a temporary reversal of the underlying sleep process 80 that the individual may take several gasping breaths before falling back into deeper sleep. This cycle may be repeated numerous times a night.
Under rrn~;ti~nn where airway obstruction is i _lete, there i5 some passage of air, resulting in an pl~A~nt gound known as snoring created by the W096/03903 ~ ~ 9 ~ lu vibration of the relaxed mucous ' --. While the quality of sleep of snoring individuals may not be greatly affected, the quality of sleep of nearby individuals may be ~ignifi~ntly and adversely affected.
IIO1CUVCL~ a sizable number of people who snore do suffer from daytime somnolence or exhaustion, an indication of poor sleep quality.
There have been uus attemptY to PliminAte or reduce obstructive sleep apnea or snoring through various pillow designs, with mixed results. One of the more ~uuucsDLul ~p~u.ua~l-es has been to incuL~uuL~Le a pillow feature which ~ UU~--J ~ the individual to extend the neck so that the ULU38 3e_Lional area of the airway is increased. Features which ~ncollr~ge such ~n~t~ ~Al p~ti~ning nre ~g~rihed in v~rious U.S. Patents such as Nos. 4,850,067; 5,014,377, and 5,123,132. Many of the pillow de3igns for ~limin~t;~n or reduction of oLDLLu~Live sleep apnea or snoring employ LL~deorLs between -~ hing this objective and comfort, using L t~hniq~ to O.ICUUL~yc the user to sleep in one position ~8 opposed to another. r _le~ of these designs include U.S. Patents 4,536,905 and 4,748,702.
Still others restrict the vc of the user during 81eep. r , 1eB of the8e de8igns include U.S. Patent8 4,118,813 and 4,349,925. Various types of pillows have also been ~Pci~npd for orthopedic cervical support.
These include U.S. Patents 3,574,397; 4,424,599;
4,494,261; 4,550,458; 5,016,303; and 5,038,432.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pillow DLLuuLuLc that reduces the frequency and severity of obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, thereby improving the quality of sleep of the user and nearby individuals.
~ W096/03903 ~ ~' 67'65 It i5 still another object of the present invention to provide a pillow structure that reduces the frequency and severity of obstructive sleep apnea or snoring without resorting to physical discomfort or restricting user mobility.
I~t i~s a further object of the present invention to provide a pillow structure that r-Y;m; 7~q the cros3-sectional area of the user's airway passage at the level of the oropharynx when the user is in a supine position, yet permitting the user to easily roll into the lateral decubitus position with the lateral side of the user's head abutting lateral side portions of the pillow.
It is yet another object of the present invention to reduce the pot~nt;Al for neck strain by providing for a pillow structure that places the cervical and thoracic spine of the user in substantially coextengive Al;; ~, in the supine and lateral decubitus positions and thL~uyll~uL the rolling ~. ~ between these pogjt;nn~.
Other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the fnll~ -ng degcription and Arp~ d drawings wherein there is shown and described a preferred : ' '; L of the present invention.
~UW~DURY OF T~E lh~n~_ A pillow in ac~Ldan~ with the present invention ~ a central, supine neck resting portion having a convexly curved upper surface and a width about equal to the length of a user's neck from the base of the fikull to the base of the neck, a pair of elevated left and right lateral, neck resting portions having convexly curved upper s~rfA~e~, transitional portions having a curved :
W096/03903 ~ u_ ~C,~lu upper surface connecting the lower central portion with the elevated left and right lateral neck resting portions, and a pair of substantially planar, headrest portions each connected to a respective lateral neck resting portion. The maximum ~ ~ ~ssed height and uuLv~LuLe of the neck resting central portion under the weight of the user, while lying supine, is such that the cervical spine is supported in its natural ~ulvaLuLe, with the head and neck fully ~t~n~d backwards (towards the ~LL1~05). This p~8ifio~ ~~Yimi7~ the cross-sectional area of the air passage of the user at the level of the oropharynx. The height of the _ _ ~3~. 1 transitional portion upper surfaces varies from a minimum about equal to the height of the l~"~ ~sed central portion upper surface and a maximum about equal to the height of the _ ~s~ed lateral portion upper surfaces. The diatance between the center line of the pillow and the juncture of the tra~sitional portions and the re3pective connected lateral portions is less than or equal to the distance between the center line of the pillow and the lateral edge of the shoulder of a user lying in a supine position. Additionally, the height of the _ ~aned lateral neck resting portions is about equal to the height of the user~ 8 cervical spine above the underlying mattress when the user assumes a side-resting or lateral decubitus position. These ~LLUULUL~1 limitations ensure that the user, when rolling from a supine position to a lateral decubitus p~iti~n~ is able to position the lateral side of his or her head against one of the lateral headrest portions and to have his or her cervical spine in substantially coP~t~nnive A1;; L
with his or her thoracic spine throughout the entire rolling motion.
As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different ~ , including one which incuL,uUL~tes ~ thin, substantially planar, supine ~ W096l03903 ~.~t 96765 P~ J/U
headreat portion. These : -'i L8 are capable of lifir~tions in varioua, obvioua aapects, all without departing from the invention. ~ccordingly, the drawings ~ and descriptiona will be L~y~Lded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
c._ OF THE
Figure 1 is an oblique pel~ueuLive of a pillow ccnDLLuuLion in accuLdance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the pillow construction of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a pillow con~LLuuLion in accordance with the present invention taken along lines 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a sectional view of a pillow construction in ~CUL~1 n~e with the present invention taken along lines 4-4 of Figure l; and Figure 5 is a p~L~y~uLive of an alternative pillow conDL~uuLion in accordance with the present invention.
rV~TT~n ~ _-nl~__ OF T~E l.~rLsru~
RefeIellce is first made to the p~LD,ueuLive of Figure 1 in which character numeral 10 refers to a pillow having a g~n~r~lly ~-shaped config~lr~tion with se~ti~n~ or portions of various heights and ~uLv~Lul~D. The composition of the pillow is preferably a soft, _ _ eDaible material having a r~ n~y s~lffi~i~nt for the pillow ~uL~sDed at any location by the user's head or neck to return to its original shape after the w096/03903 ~f~b7~5 ~ u pressure has been released. Compositions 3uitable for use can include, but are not limited to, any foams selected from the family of polyurethane or polyolefin foams, preferably open celled foams with a compression deflection of about 0.5 to 2.0 inches ~ r~
~inplr ' for a foam thio~n~r~ of 4 to 6 inches due to a weight of about 10 pounds. In terms of ILD resiliency values, the expected range is 3 to 30 ILD, with preferred values generally from 10 to 20 ILD. ILD is a standard unit of measurement used for resiliency or firmne33, frequently employed in the manufacture of pillows. See, for example, U.S. Patent 5,128,132 issued June 23, 1992 to Linda H. Dixon. An ILD value of lO means that a 10 pound weight would ~i~pl~e a surface of a four inch thick piece of foam material by one inch. The major characteristic of the foamed material with respect to deflection ~ssion is density. Foamed materials can be manufactured at about any density desired. Thus, the important aspect of the present invention is to select a density or densities that provide the various . ~ssion r~i~n~ desired. A8 ~i~C-lr8~ below, a proper ~6sion deflection is needed to ensure that the correct AnAt~ positions of the user are maintained in order to promote restful sleep. Open celled foams are p,~feL,~d due to their ability to repeatedly ~pring back into their original shape with mini~al cell breakdown.
Pillow 10 is provided with elevated left and right lateral neck resting portions 12, 14 each with a convexly curved upper surface 16 and 18, respectively. For the adult user, the vertical height 24 of _ ~ssed portions 12, 14 is preferably about 4 to 8 inches, or approximately the width of the user's shoulder. Curved upper surfaces 16, 18 have a ~uLvaLuLe which is - li rry to the lateral ~uLvatuLe of a user's neck from the top of the shoulder to the base of the head of the user. A preferred range of radii of curvature of ~ W096/03903 ~ 1 9 6 7 6 5 r~ IU
upper surfaces 16, 18 is about 2 to 4 inches. Fxtending outward from the lateral neck resting portions are substantially planar left and right lateral headrest - portions 20 and 22. G~n~rAlly, the vertical height denoted by line 21 of portions 20 and 22 can range from a vertical height about equal to the vertical height of portions 12 and 14 to a vertical height that is aubstantially less. Preferably the vertical height of Ull~ _ ~3sed portiops 20, 22 iB about 3 to 7 inche3.
The vertiaal height of the head and neck resting portions will ne~essAr;ly vary -t, ~p~n~ing upon the head, neck and shoulder ~i R i nn R of the user and - .~Aihility of the pillow and underlying body support ~LLU~LU1~ or ~LL
When, as shown in Figure 4, the lateral site of a user's neck is resting against curved surfaces 16 or 18 and the lateral side of the user's head is lying against the COLL ~on~ing lateral headrest portion 20 or 22, the vertical heights of the ~ ed lateral neck resting portion, denoted by line 24a, and the . ~ssed lateral headrest portion, denoted by line 21a, should be such that the cervical spine 27 of the user i3 ~o;ntAinnd in substantially ~coextensive Al;; ' ~ with the thoracic spine 29 of the user. The human spinal column has natural ~uLv~LuLe5 to the cervical and thoracic regions.
As set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,494,261, the position of the body providing the natural curvature is termed the "phyAio~ogir' position. In the context of this ~nA~rirtinn~ the use of "co-extensive A~ should be understood to be ~yll~lly R with this ~phyRinlo~
position. Op~rAt;nnAlly, coextensive Ali L exists when an imaginary line passing through the foramina of the T1 and C7 vertebrae extends also through the foramen of the C1 vertebra. A typical vertical height of _ ~ ~ ' lateral neck resting portions needed to maintain an av~L~y~ sized adult~3 spine in this W0 96/03gO3 '~ /U
sub3tantially coextensive alignment is about 3 to 6 inches, while a typical vertical height of the ~_ esDed lateral headrest portions is about 2 to 5 inches. It i8 important that the vertical heights of the cssad lateral headrest and neck resting portions be properly Delected to ensure the substantially coextensive Al i 3 L of the cervical and thoracic 3pine. Thus, the compressed vertical height 24a 3hould be 8~1 ect~ to ~ulLeD~vlld to a distance about one inch less than the width of the user's shoulder, as measured from the lateral edge thereof to the lateral edge of the user~s neck. Similarly, the _ ~sed vertical height 21a should be selected to cuL~c~uu..d to a distance about one inch le3s than the distance from the lateral edge of the user's head to the level of the lateral edge of his shoulder when cervical spine 29 i8 in substantially coextensive Al il; ' with thoracic spine 27.
Positioned between left and right lateral portions 12, 14 i3 a central supine neck resting portion 26 connected to the lateral portions by left and right transitional neck resting portion3 28, 30. A8 can be seen from Figure 1, pillow 10 forms a U-shape about a center area 32. Center area 32 is preferably open, such that the back of the user's head (occiput), lying in the supine position, directly abuts an underlying supporting surface such a3 a m~LLL~D. Alternatively, as ~hown in Figure 5, a planar pillow ~Yt~n~lnn or supine headrest portion 34 of preferably minimal c6sed thi~n~s, i.e., about one inch or less, may be used ~Yt~n~;ng between the left and right lateral portions 12, 14 and central portion 26. Supine headrest portion 34 may be made of a foamed material having a greater density than other pillow portions so as to help maintain the ;ntegr;ty of the pillow when being handled.
Additionally, supine headrest portion 34 can ~Ar;litAte covering pillow 10 with a pillow case by providing a ~ W096/03903 219~7~6~ u rectangular section to pillow 10.
Central portion 26 has a convexly curved upper ~ surface 36 to cu--tD~--d with the natural curvature of the user's neck. Central portion 26 has an UL~ SSed height of about 1.5 to 4 inches and a compressed height (shown by line 36a) of about 1 to 3 inches. The compressed height i8 such that when the user is lying in a supine position with the back of the neck resting against surface 36 and the back of the head c0ntA~ting area 32, the user's head and neck are fully PYtQn~P~. It has been found that this position is within the comfort zone of the user and provides for a maximum opening of the air rA~, y of the user at the level of the ul~haLy~. The curved upper surface 36 provides a ry ghape for abutment against the curved surface of the user's neck. The preferred range of radii of ~uLv~Lu-t of the surface 36 is about 1 to 4 inches.
Transitional portions 28, 30 provide for an increasing vertical height from the lower central portion 26 to the elevated lateral neck re3ting portions 12, 14.
The function of the transitional portions is to provide continuous neck support for a user when the user rolls between the supine position and the lateral decubitus position, while co~ Lly ;nt~;n;ng the substantially coextensive ~1;; L between the cervical and thoracic spine.
To ensure substantially coextensive ~1;; of the user~s th~r~;n and cervical spine in the supine and lateral decubitus positions, and during the roll between the two positions, and to ensure ~-Y;m;7~tion of the ~L~33 3L_Lional area of the user~s air passage, it is nPce88Ary that certain pillow DL-u~Lu-t g r;P~ be obL_Lvtd. First, as ~;~c~ Pd above, a proper vertical height of the tssed lateral headrest and neck W096103903 2 1 9 ~ 7 ~ u resting portions i3 required to ensure the substantially coexten3ive Al; j t when the user i9 in the lateral decubitus position. Second, a proper vertical height of the c essed central portion is necessary to promote user comfort and to maximize the ~l~ss~ Lional area of the air pAC~n~J-J-y at the oropharynx level when the user is in the supine positionO Finally, to ensure that the user's lateral neck side alway3 rests against the lateral neck resting portion when the user has rolled into a lateral decubitus position, the rolling radius of a user must be equal to or slightly greater than the distance from the pillow center line to the transitional/lateral juncture. ~he rolling radius of the user is defined here to mean the distance from the lateral edge of the user's shoulder to the center line of the user. Generally, the user, as observed by inventor, will be more or less centered with respect to pillow 10 when lying in the supine position, thus meaning that the user's thoracic and cervical spine will be within the same plane as the center line of the pillow. Referring to Figure 2, it may be seen that line a- Ie~- e~_.lL8 the length of supine neck resting portion 26. It i~ preferable that portion 26 have a length that approximates the width of a user~s neck. Line "b" Ie~1e~e..Ls the distance from the center line 38 of the pillow and supine neck resting portion 26 to the juncture 40 between transitional portions 28, 30 and respective lateral neck resting portions 12, 14.
Line "c" Le~ ~ lc the rolling radius. It is important to note that transitional portions 28, 30 serve to provide support to the user's neck and to maintain the substantially co~yt~cive Ali~ L between the thoracic and cervical spine during the rolling ~ L between the supine and lateral decubitus positions.
In this ~i~cl~s~lre, there is shown and described only the preferred ~ of the invention, but it is understood that the invention is capable of changes and W0 96/03903 2 '1 q~ '' r~ u 'ifir~tiong within the scope of the inventive concept as ~ eed herein.
Claims (5)
1. A pillow for the reduction of neck strain, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by maximizing the opening of a user's oropharynx and for maintaining the user's cervical spine and thoracic spine in substantially coextensive alignment throughout a rolling movement from a supine to a lateral position comprising (a) a pair of elevated left and right lateral neck resting portions (12, 14) each having a convexly curved upper surface with a predetermined uncompressed vertical height (24a);
(b) a lower central supine neck resting portion (26) lying between said elevated left and right lateral neck resting portions (12, 14), said central portion having a convexly curved upper surface (36) adapted to be compressed into substantially continuous contact with the curved nape of a neck of a user lying in a supine position, said upper surface having a maximum compressed vertical height and curvature under the weight of a user so that the natural curvature of said user's neck is maintained and the head and neck are fully extended backwards towards a mattress underlying said pillow and said user's occiput rests directly on the underlying mattress, thus maximizing the cross-sectional area of said user's oropharynx when in a supine position;
(c) a pair of neck resting transitional pillow portions (28, 30) connecting said neck resting central portion (26) with said left and right neck resting lateral portions (12, 14), said neck resting transitional pillow portions having upwardly sloping curved upper surfaces connecting said curved surface of said central neck resting portion with said curved surfaces of said left and right neck resting lateral portions, said curved upper surfaces of said left and right neck resting lateral portions having an uncompressed vertical height greater than an uncompressed vertical height of said neck resting central portion, and (d) a pair of lateral headrest portions (20, 22) each respectively connected to one of said left and right lateral neck resting portions, said lateral headrest portions defining the legs of a U-shaped pillow structure and said lateral, supine and transitional neck resting portions defining the bottom of said U-shaped pillow structure, said lateral headrest portions further being substantially planar and horizonal and having a maximum uncompressed vertical height less than said uncompressed vertical height of said curved surfaces of said left and right lateral neck resting portions so that said user's cervical spine is maintained in substantially coextensive alignment with the user's thoracic spine when said user's head laterally rests against the lateral head resting portions, wherein a perpendicular distance measured from the center line of said pillow to the juncture between the lateral neck resting portions and the transitional portions is less than or equal to a distance measured from said center line to a lateral edge of said user's shoulder when lying in said supine position, thereby ensuring that when said user rolls from the supine position to a lateral position, (i) the user's head pivots about an axis defined by a humerus of the user so that a lateral side of said user's head is positioned in an abutting relationship with one of said lateral headrest portions when said user is in a lateral decubitus position and (ii) the neck of said user lies in substantially continuous abutment with the curved surface of one of said transitional portions and one of said left or right lateral neck resting portions, and (iii) the user's cervical spine and thoracic spine are in substantially coextensive alignment throughout the rolling movement.
(b) a lower central supine neck resting portion (26) lying between said elevated left and right lateral neck resting portions (12, 14), said central portion having a convexly curved upper surface (36) adapted to be compressed into substantially continuous contact with the curved nape of a neck of a user lying in a supine position, said upper surface having a maximum compressed vertical height and curvature under the weight of a user so that the natural curvature of said user's neck is maintained and the head and neck are fully extended backwards towards a mattress underlying said pillow and said user's occiput rests directly on the underlying mattress, thus maximizing the cross-sectional area of said user's oropharynx when in a supine position;
(c) a pair of neck resting transitional pillow portions (28, 30) connecting said neck resting central portion (26) with said left and right neck resting lateral portions (12, 14), said neck resting transitional pillow portions having upwardly sloping curved upper surfaces connecting said curved surface of said central neck resting portion with said curved surfaces of said left and right neck resting lateral portions, said curved upper surfaces of said left and right neck resting lateral portions having an uncompressed vertical height greater than an uncompressed vertical height of said neck resting central portion, and (d) a pair of lateral headrest portions (20, 22) each respectively connected to one of said left and right lateral neck resting portions, said lateral headrest portions defining the legs of a U-shaped pillow structure and said lateral, supine and transitional neck resting portions defining the bottom of said U-shaped pillow structure, said lateral headrest portions further being substantially planar and horizonal and having a maximum uncompressed vertical height less than said uncompressed vertical height of said curved surfaces of said left and right lateral neck resting portions so that said user's cervical spine is maintained in substantially coextensive alignment with the user's thoracic spine when said user's head laterally rests against the lateral head resting portions, wherein a perpendicular distance measured from the center line of said pillow to the juncture between the lateral neck resting portions and the transitional portions is less than or equal to a distance measured from said center line to a lateral edge of said user's shoulder when lying in said supine position, thereby ensuring that when said user rolls from the supine position to a lateral position, (i) the user's head pivots about an axis defined by a humerus of the user so that a lateral side of said user's head is positioned in an abutting relationship with one of said lateral headrest portions when said user is in a lateral decubitus position and (ii) the neck of said user lies in substantially continuous abutment with the curved surface of one of said transitional portions and one of said left or right lateral neck resting portions, and (iii) the user's cervical spine and thoracic spine are in substantially coextensive alignment throughout the rolling movement.
2. The pillow of claim 1 in which said compressed vertical height of said central supine neck resting portion is about 1 to 3 inches and said uncompressed vertical height of same is about 1.5 to 4 inches.
3. The pillow of claim 1 in which the user's neck compresses said lateral neck resting portions from an uncompressed vertical height of about 4 to 8 inches to a compressed vertical height of about 3 to 6 inches.
4. The pillow of claim 1 in which the user's neck compresses said lateral headrest portions from an uncompressed vertical height of about 3 to 7 inches to a compressed vertical height of about 2 to 5 inches.
5. The pillow of claim 10 in which said pillow has a resiliency allowing a depression of about 0.5 to 2 inches under a weight of about 10 pounds and springs back to its original uncompressed height after the weight is removed.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/285,939 | 1994-08-04 | ||
| US08/285,939 US5457832A (en) | 1994-08-04 | 1994-08-04 | Cervical pillow with variable thickness head and neck portions |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2196765A1 true CA2196765A1 (en) | 1996-02-15 |
Family
ID=23096341
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002196765A Abandoned CA2196765A1 (en) | 1994-08-04 | 1995-07-27 | Cervical pillow with variable thickness head and neck portions |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5457832A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0773728A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH10503403A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2196765A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996003903A1 (en) |
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| USD959684S1 (en) * | 2020-06-25 | 2022-08-02 | Wellis USA Inc. | Spa headrest |
| USD931012S1 (en) * | 2020-10-01 | 2021-09-21 | Shenzhen Damuzhi Health Information Consulting Co. | Pillow |
| USD923972S1 (en) * | 2020-10-13 | 2021-07-06 | Shenzhen Youmiou Technology Co., Ltd | Pillow |
| CN112336555A (en) * | 2020-11-06 | 2021-02-09 | 安徽医科大学附属阜阳医院 | Neurosurgery is with decompression pillow |
| US20220183919A1 (en) * | 2020-12-10 | 2022-06-16 | Timothy Dennis McCall | Cranial positioning device with a lymphatic drainage augmentation that causes relief of various feelings associated with a typical hangover |
| US11259657B1 (en) * | 2021-05-06 | 2022-03-01 | Jose B Molina | Anti-snoring pillow and pillowcase system |
| CN114271653B (en) * | 2021-11-24 | 2023-08-29 | 吉祥三宝高科纺织有限公司 | Black tartary buckwheat herbal pillow capable of clearing sleep and soothing nerves |
| USD982357S1 (en) * | 2022-11-04 | 2023-04-04 | Beautybumper Llc | Bifurcated pillow |
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| US2700779A (en) * | 1952-09-13 | 1955-02-01 | Tolkowsky Charles | Therapeutic pillow |
| US2940088A (en) * | 1959-02-06 | 1960-06-14 | Howard M Boos | Posture pillow |
| US3234569A (en) * | 1962-10-15 | 1966-02-15 | David L Stewart | Pillow |
| US3482571A (en) * | 1967-10-13 | 1969-12-09 | Jack B Behrendt | Surgical pillow having oxygen tube supporting means |
| US3574397A (en) * | 1968-09-11 | 1971-04-13 | Jan Norriss | Orthopedic pillow |
| US3667074A (en) * | 1969-08-26 | 1972-06-06 | William W Emery | Stuffed contoured pillows |
| US4118813A (en) * | 1976-11-10 | 1978-10-10 | Armstrong Nolen L | Sleep training pillow for the prevention of snoring |
| FR2375595A1 (en) * | 1976-12-22 | 1978-07-21 | Tepral Gie | DEVICE FOR THE SIGNIFICANT MEASUREMENT OF THE LEVEL OF OXYGEN DISSOLVED IN A LIQUID |
| US4194501A (en) * | 1978-07-31 | 1980-03-25 | Watt Russell A | First aid splint for cervical spine injuries |
| FR2437824A1 (en) * | 1978-10-03 | 1980-04-30 | Condor | ORTHOPEDIC PILLOW |
| US4349925A (en) * | 1980-03-13 | 1982-09-21 | James K. Macomber | Physiological pillow |
| US4424599A (en) * | 1980-09-18 | 1984-01-10 | Nabil Hannouche | Cervical pillow |
| US4502170A (en) * | 1980-11-25 | 1985-03-05 | Spinal Dynamics, Inc. | Physiologic support system and method |
| US4494261A (en) * | 1980-12-22 | 1985-01-22 | Spinal Dynamics, Inc. | Head and neck cushion |
| DE3220336A1 (en) * | 1982-05-28 | 1983-12-01 | Ibu Betten-Union Gmbh & Co Kg, 5600 Wuppertal | MEDICAL PILLOW |
| US4550458A (en) * | 1983-11-14 | 1985-11-05 | Fiore John W | Cervical support pillow |
| US4536905A (en) * | 1984-02-23 | 1985-08-27 | Desantis Damian G | Anti-snore pillow |
| JPS62192121A (en) * | 1986-02-19 | 1987-08-22 | 竹内 昌平 | Quiet sleep pillow |
| US4850067A (en) * | 1986-04-23 | 1989-07-25 | Latorre Nestor R | Orthopedic pillow which minimizes snoring |
| US4777678A (en) * | 1986-06-18 | 1988-10-18 | The Better Back Care Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing back support |
| FR2609616B1 (en) * | 1987-01-16 | 1989-08-18 | Kogan Henry | FUNCTIONAL PILLOW |
| US4748702A (en) * | 1987-04-14 | 1988-06-07 | Thera-P-Cushion Products | Pillow designed to reduce snoring by a user thereof |
| US4773107A (en) * | 1987-07-13 | 1988-09-27 | Josefek Kirt L | Contoured pillow |
| US4928335A (en) * | 1987-08-12 | 1990-05-29 | John Pedrow | Orthopedic pillow and sizing kit therefor |
| US5033137A (en) * | 1987-08-12 | 1991-07-23 | John Pedrow | Orthopedic pillow with groove for spine |
| US4907306A (en) * | 1987-11-02 | 1990-03-13 | Nakaji Norman K | Supine support device and method for treatment and prevention of malocclusion of the teeth |
| US5014377A (en) * | 1988-05-06 | 1991-05-14 | E. R. Carpenter Company Inc. | Pillow |
| US5123132A (en) * | 1988-05-06 | 1992-06-23 | E.R. Carpenter Company, Inc. | Pillow |
| US5016303A (en) * | 1989-06-09 | 1991-05-21 | Lumex, Inc. | Cervical and head support pillow |
| US5129705A (en) * | 1989-12-19 | 1992-07-14 | Wray Thomas E | Head support |
| US5038432A (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1991-08-13 | George Robillard | Compartmented orthopedic cervical pillow |
| US5018231A (en) * | 1990-08-27 | 1991-05-28 | Jason Wang | Neck guard pillow |
| US5214814A (en) * | 1992-03-04 | 1993-06-01 | Eremita Nunzio A | Multiple posture sleeping pillow with arm rest |
-
1994
- 1994-08-04 US US08/285,939 patent/US5457832A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1995
- 1995-07-27 JP JP8506641A patent/JPH10503403A/en active Pending
- 1995-07-27 EP EP95927520A patent/EP0773728A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-07-27 WO PCT/US1995/009570 patent/WO1996003903A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-07-27 CA CA002196765A patent/CA2196765A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1996003903A1 (en) | 1996-02-15 |
| US5457832A (en) | 1995-10-17 |
| MX9700910A (en) | 1998-07-31 |
| EP0773728A1 (en) | 1997-05-21 |
| JPH10503403A (en) | 1998-03-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |