Design and development of a novel pneumatic cervical traction device

Computers and mobile phones have become an essential part of modern life. Improper ergonomic posture while looking at screens and reduced physical activities in regular life can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Irrespective of age, many adults these days are being affected due to their working cultures and lifestyles. The therapies used for musculoskeletal disorders at the early stages of the disease yield good results. A cervical traction device is one such therapeutic device used for treating several such disorders like cervical spondylosis, cervical disc bulges, and cervical compression syndrome. Although several therapeutic machines exist, they are bulky, expensive, uncomfortable, and lack self-assistance. Moreover, the existing device can only provide uniaxial traction irrespective of the patient's problem. These devices create unnecessary traction on the other side of the cervical spine for patients with a one-sided disc bulge. Thus, there is a strong need for a new therapeutic device that can provide traction on a single desired side for these patients. A novel therapeutic machine is developed with the feasibility of traction coupled with single-sided twist in the neck. The new traction device uses a pneumatic piston-cylinder arrangement. The individual can have the pressure in the traction device set to his/her liking and can even lower or raise it as needed. For patients who suffer from single-sided cervical problems, the mechanism proposed in the current device can additionally generate a twist along with traction. A study has been conducted on a group of people of different ages, and the new traction device has been proven to be more effective than previous devices. © 2020 Totem Publisher, Inc. All rights reserved.