Using a Stifneck Select CollarTM for hands-free semiautomatic blood flow measurements: A user study
- 1Innovation Center Computer Assisted Surgery (ICCAS), Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- 2Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- 3GAMPT mbH, Merseburg, Germany
Abstract
The percentage of long-term survival in out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest cases is remarkably low. One approach would be to increase the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which is currently not measurable in a quantifiable way. The most significant challenge in providing a mobile solution for CPR evaluation is a mobile, hazard‑free sensor attachment with high usability. We present a sensor attachment solution usable for semiautomatic ultrasonic (US) Doppler measurements. Components are attached to a Stifneck Select Collar™ (Laerdal). An inflatable cushion (TR-Band™, Terumo) allows adjustable contact pressure. A clinical study was conducted in which the system was evaluated based on comfort, pain, sensor support, the viability of Doppler signals, and the absence of skin irritations. The system was utilized in a prospective study involving 102 healthy probands. On a scale between 1 (Low) and 10 (Intense), ratings were 1.19 (SD 0.46), 6.52 (SD 1.78), and 9.95 (SD 0.32) for pain, comfort, and support, respectively. The average duration of application was 31.19 minutes (SD 16.75 minutes). Audible Doppler signals were achieved in 92.2% of the probands, and Doppler curve evaluation was usable in 73.5%. No skin irritations were observed. A hands‑free sensor attachment for a US probe was developed that caused no significant complaints by healthy study volunteers. Medical users assessed its attachment as robust. With its adjustable positioning and easy attachment, the Stifneck modification can form a basis for a mobile US Doppler device, capable of evaluating carotid artery flow during CPR.
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BibTeX
@article{fuchs2026using,
title = {{Using a Stifneck Select CollarTM for hands-free semiautomatic blood flow measurements: A user study}},
author = {Reinhard Fuchs and Nathalie Sumrah and Maximilian N. Möbius-Winkler and Georg Stachel and Michael Schultz and Ulrich Laufs and Thomas Neumuth and Michael Unger and Karsten Lenk},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0358589},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358589},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Using a Stifneck Select CollarTM for hands-free semiautomatic blood flow measurements: A user study
AU - Reinhard Fuchs
AU - Nathalie Sumrah
AU - Maximilian N. Möbius-Winkler
AU - Georg Stachel
AU - Michael Schultz
AU - Ulrich Laufs
AU - Thomas Neumuth
AU - Michael Unger
AU - Karsten Lenk
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/23
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0358589
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358589
AB - The percentage of long-term survival in out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest cases is remarkably low. One approach would be to increase the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which is currently not measurable in a quantifiable way. The most significant challenge in providing a mobile solution for CPR evaluation is a mobile, hazard‑free sensor attachment with high usability. We present a sensor attachment solution usable for semiautomatic ultrasonic (US) Doppler measurements. Components are attached to a Stifneck Select Collar™ (Laerdal). An inflatable cushion (TR-Band™, Terumo) allows adjustable contact pressure. A clinical study was conducted in which the system was evaluated based on comfort, pain, sensor support, the viability of Doppler signals, and the absence of skin irritations. The system was utilized in a prospective study involving 102 healthy probands. On a scale between 1 (Low) and 10 (Intense), ratings were 1.19 (SD 0.46), 6.52 (SD 1.78), and 9.95 (SD 0.32) for pain, comfort, and support, respectively. The average duration of application was 31.19 minutes (SD 16.75 minutes). Audible Doppler signals were achieved in 92.2% of the probands, and Doppler curve evaluation was usable in 73.5%. No skin irritations were observed. A hands‑free sensor attachment for a US probe was developed that caused no significant complaints by healthy study volunteers. Medical users assessed its attachment as robust. With its adjustable positioning and easy attachment, the Stifneck modification can form a basis for a mobile US Doppler device, capable of evaluating carotid artery flow during CPR.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -