Concept
Stabilization of the cervical spine region is not a new concept, but it has been revolutionized by product developments of the Philadelphia Cervical Collar Company. Prior to 1971, there were only two types of cervical collars on the market, the soft-foam collar, which offered little or no support and the hard-rigid metal collar, which was uncomfortable to wear and made X-rays impossible without removal. The Philadelphia Cervical Collar was specifically designed to overcome problems inherent with competitive cervical collars.
The purpose of cervical collar orthoses is to alleviate instability of a compromised cervical spine, while being patient-friendly, lightweight and economical. Unfortunately, many products cannot satisfy the above criteria due to poor product design, inefficient manufacturing capabilities or lack of knowledge of cervical spine physiology. The Philadelphia Cervical Collar Company was created to address the medical community's need for a lightweight, affordable, high-quality cervical collar.
Creation
It was by accident that the idea for the Philadelphia Cervical Collar was born. One day Frank Gramaglia was called into the office of a nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon to discuss a hip device. While Mr. Gramaglia was waiting, he noticed literature for Plastazote foam and began to read the technical and instructional information. After the meeting concluded, Frank brought the brochure to his family's orthopedic shop to show his uncle, Anthony Calabrese.
With two sheets of foam, they experimented and incorporated it into a variety of different products one of which was a cervical collar. Anthony made the first collar from a plaster impression of Frank's neck, but they noticed that the product, while stabilizing his cervical region, did not support Frank's brother, Joseph. They decided to alter the collar into two parts, a front half and a back half and increased the level of immobilization features. This allowed the collar to immobilize a wider range of neck circumferences, thereby transforming the product from a custom-made product into a commercially acceptable off-the-shelf product.
Mr. Gramaglia had a patient at Jefferson Hospital who had a difficult time sleeping in a metal two poster brace. The orthopedic surgeon agreed to use the new cervical collar on the patient. They discovered that the product provided the necessary cervical immobilization while increasing patient comfort and compliance.
Soon after, the Philadelphia Cervical Collar became the recognized gold standard in cervical spine immobilization by orthopedic and neurological surgeons throughout the world.