An orthopedic pillow in accordance with the present invention comprises a unitary body of feathers, foam or other resilient material with a deep generally hemispherical depression or aperture. The aperture receives the back of a user's head in such a manner that a portion of the weight of the head is supported generally on or substantially close to a mattress or the like beneath the pillow while the rest of the weight of the user's head is supported by the surrounding portion of the pillow. This design allows the user's head to rest generally on the same horizontal surface on which the remainder of the user's body rests. As a result, the head can shift backwardly into an ideal postural position in relation to the long axis of the user's body. Also, the aperture is eccentrically positioned in the body to provide different distances between the edge of the body and the aperture. Preferably, the pillow is rectangular with the aperture offset from the axes of the pillow. By orienting the pillow appropriately, it can be positioned to fit users with different neck lengths.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 07/271,107 filed Nov. 4, 1988 and entitled Orthopedic Head Pillow now U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,246.
A travel pillow is provided in the form of a torus which is inflated and which has an integral bottom backing member adapted to coact with the seat back of a chair in a plane, train, bus, or automobile in which sleep is promoted regardless of movement of the individual's head during sleep periods because the pillow permits both rotation of the head within the torus during sleep and also movement of the pillow laterally and vertically as it slips against the seat back during natural sleep movements.
A headrest pillow for supporting the head of a user resting against any surface. The headrest pillow comprising a neck, head and shoulder (2) support composed of flexible material with a cross-sectional contour that is complementary to the shape formed by the back of the user's neck, head and shoulder for fitting between the user and the surface against which the user is resting. The headrest pillow also comprising a pillow cushion (1) composed of flexible material, having a base that is connected to one end of a head, neck and shoulder support (2), leaving the other end of the support free. The purpose of pillow cushion being to support the user's head at an angle of between 5-45 degrees (preferably 25-35 degrees) from a vertical plane when the attached support is fitted between the user's neck, head and shoulder and the surface against which the user is resting. The pillow cushion (1) has a shape that is conical-like, hemispherical-like, spherical-like or wedge-like and the support further comprises three flattened cylindrical sections that extend parallel to one another. The forces of the user's body in sleep naturally push the pillow cushion section against the face of the resting surface and onto the user's shoulder.
A medical support pillow for facilitating endotrachael intubation comprising a base member having a pair of oppositely positioned sidewalls, a bottom portion having a bottom surface, and an upper portion. The upper portion has a first inclined surface for receiving a portion of the upper back of a patient and a recess for receiving the occipital area of the patient's head. The recess is adjacent to the inclined surface and extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the sidewalls. The upper portion further includes a second inclined surface that is adjacent to the recess wherein the recess is intermediate the first and second inclined surfaces. In one embodiment, the medical support pillow comprises a pad member configured to be removably positioned within the recess. The pad member comprises a top portion for receiving the patient's head. The pad member may be positioned within the recess after intubation has been completed. In a further embodiment, the pad portion further comprises a cavity having an opening accessible through the top portion of the pad member. In such an embodiment, the medical support pillow further includes a hemispherical member removably positioned within the cavity. The hemispherical member may be removed to allow the occiput of patient's head to sink into the cavity to substantially eliminate pressure on the occipital area of patient's head and to prevent any substantial movement of the patient's head while extended.
A therapeutic head cradle apparatus has a pair of lateral side support members positioned to support the back, front or side of the head. Weight of the head will apply acupressure and shiatsu pressure to various pressure points located in the head area. Elastomeric cushion layers of different densities allow Chinese self-massage while the head is rolled side to side. A means to adjust the distance between the lateral support members is provided. Magnetic therapy and a sound system may also be part of the head cradle apparatus.
An anti-snoring pillow having a top pillow, a bottom pillow, and a covering is provided. The bottom pillow has a top surface angled with respect to a bottom surface. The top surface of the bottom pillow has a head-receiving cavity defined therein. The covering has a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section. The top pillow is in the top section and the bottom pillow is in the bottom section. The middle section maintains the top pillow centered over the head-receiving cavity during use.
