Robotic neck brace

描述（由申请人提供）： 摘要：由于颈部病理引起的症状是患者引起神经科医生和理疗师注意的最常见的投诉之一。在这项试点研究中，我们建议 开发两种能够运动的颈托变体以服务于这些临床情况。首先，我们将为患有严重颈部无力的ALS患者建立和改进颈托。无法抬起头不仅降低了生活质量，还可能降低气道保护，导致ALS患者最常见的死亡原因。这种新型装置将允许患者控制头部的位置，使其对每次活动都是最佳的。其次，我们将开发一种高度可调节的颈托，用于治疗颈痛和颈神经根病，这是神经科诊所中最常见的两种症状。这种颈托也可用于有颈髓压迫风险但不适合手术的患者。该新型装置将提供增加的稳定性、牵引潜力， 轻松调整颈部位置的能力。这项初步研究旨在确定安全性和耐受性，并确定潜在的益处。安全性、耐受性和潜在受益的证明将允许对每种器械进行全面的临床试验。如果成功，这些研究将提供一个非常需要的假肢相对被忽视，但重要的神经康复领域。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Abstract: Symptoms due to pathology of the neck are among the most common complaints that patients bring to the attention of neurologists and physiatrists. In this Pilot study we propose to develop two variants of a motion capable neck brace to serve these clinical situations. First, we will build and improve a neck brace for ALS patients with severe neck weakness. The inability to hold up the head not only decreases the quality of life, it can also decrease airway protection leading to the most common cause of death in ALS patients. The novel device will allow the patient to control the position of the head that is optimal for each activity. Secondly, we will develop a highly adjustable neck brace for the management of neck pain and cervical radiculopathy, two of the most common presenting symptoms in the neurology clinic. This neck brace can also be used for patients at risk for cervical cord compression but who are not surgical candidates. The novel device will provide increased stability, potential for traction, and the ability to easily adjust neck position. This Pilot study seeks to determine safety and tolerability and to identify potential benefits. Demonstration of safety, tolerability, and potentil benefits will allow full clinical trials for each of the devices. If successful these studies will provide a much need prostheses for a relatively neglected but important area of neural rehabilitation.