The Spinal Traction Unit is a cervical spine traction device that has been specifically developed for the treatment of cervical spine dislocations. It enables quicker, safer, and more reliable reduction of a dislocated cervical spine, in a more controlled way compared to hanging weight and manual traction.
ADVANTAGES OF THE DEVICE
- Mechanical device with load cell, no electronic components
- Easy setup; bed and device are an integrated unit
- Prevents pin cut out as the weight goes down to zero if the pin is cut out. This is in contrast to hanging weights, where the drag of the hanging weights can lacerate the whole scalp.
- Patient awake throughout procedure, can provide feedback
- Precise control of weight and flexion of the neck
- 80% success rate in reduction in Christchurch setup
- Device is easier to store and manage than traditional tools
- Certified medical device in New Zealand
PATIENT BENEFITS
- Quicker treatment time
- Early reduction
- Better neurological outcomes
- Treatment is less traumatic or stressful
- Patient is awake during the procedure, but has some sedation and muscle relaxation and pain relief
- Patient can ask questions and provide feedback
- Higher likelihood of recovery and independent living
- Quality of life
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
- Lower initial treatment costs
- Significantly lower (or eliminated) long term care costs
- Cost effective to buy upfront
- Low training costs
- Can be used by trained registrars and specialists
- Low cost means it is accessible to health providers in the regions
- Export earnings in medical product industry
- Significant interest from UK, Germany, USA, Australia, and South Africa
A New Way to Treat Cervical Spine Dislocations
ACCESSIBLE
Easy to store.
Fast to setup and use by trained registrars and specialists.
QUICKER
Ease of use and accessibility makes treatment within the critical 4-hour window achievable.
SAFER
Treatment is more controlled, with less chance of Gardener-Wells pin cut outs.
80% SUCCESS RATE
Trials have seen 80% of patients walk away—20% more than using conventional traction methods.
Background
When Dr Raj Singhal was training in UK, the standard method of reduction was hanging weights. Dr Singhal envisaged a better way to reduce these dislocations … the idea of the load cell and rack and pinion model developed. Back in New Zealand, in conjunction with the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) Medical Physics and Bioengineering department, he designed and developed a prototype that realigns a dislocated cervical spine, reducing the compression on the spinal cord and providing the best possible chance of recovery.
Dr Singhal would like to acknowledge the work and support of his mentors, Dennis Newton (whose method of reduction he has adopted) and Patrick Kluger. He would also like to acknowledge the companies and individuals involved in the development of the Spinal Traction Unit.
Why do we need a new approach?
15-20
Number of cervical spine dislocations in New Zealand per year.
NZ$450K
Cost of first year of rehabilitation following paralysis.
NZ$13M+
Lifetime cost of care and treatment of tetraplegia (patient injured at 25 years of age).
60%
Success rate of reduction of cervical spine dislocations from conventional methods.
Cervical spine dislocations have traditionally been treated by traction and adding weights until the reduction occurs. Dangling weights, pin cut outs causing scalp laceration, inability to get enough flexion of the neck, difficult transport, and poor reduction rates mean that a better solution is required.
Contact Us
CLINICAL CONTACT | Raj Singhal
E raj.singhal@cdhb.health.nz
C +64 272 136 224
TECHNICAL CONTACT | Jonathan Prince
E jonathan.prince@caliberdesign.co.nz
C +64 21 582 199
© Spinal Traction Ltd
Street Address
41C Birmingham Drive
Middleton, Christchurch 8041
Postal Address
PO Box 29488, Riccarton
Christchurch 8440