[Paper Review] Using a Stifneck Select Collar$^{\mathrm{TM}}$ for hands-free semiautomatic blood flow measurements: a user study

Reinhard Fuchs, Nathalie Sumrah+7 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Mar 3, 2026

Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation0 citations

TL;DR

The paper reports a hands-free sensor attachment based on a Stifneck Select Collar for semiautomatic ultrasonic Doppler blood flow measurements, evaluated in a 102-person healthy volunteer study for comfort, pain, support, Doppler signal viability, and skin safety.

ABSTRACT

Objective: 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. Methods: We present a sensor attachment solution usable for semiautomatic ultrasonic (US) Doppler measurements. Components are attached to a Stifneck Select Collar$^{\mathrm{TM}}$ (Laerdal). An inflatable cushion (TR-Band$^{\mathrm{TM}}$, 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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. Significance: 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.

Motivation & Objective

• Develop and evaluate a mobile, hazard-free sensor attachment for semiautomatic US Doppler measurements.
• Assess comfort, pain, sensor support, Doppler signal viability, and skin safety in healthy volunteers.
• Determine feasibility of using the Stifneck-based attachment for evaluating carotid flow during CPR.

Proposed method

• Attach US Doppler sensor to a Stifneck Select Collar with an inflatable cushion (TR-Band) for adjustable contact pressure.
• Conduct a prospective study with 102 healthy probands.
• Collect subjective ratings on pain, comfort, and support; measure duration of attachment; evaluate Doppler signal availability and usability; inspect for skin irritations.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can a Stifneck-based attachment provide a hands-free, mobile US Doppler measurement solution for CPR scenarios?
• RQ2 What are the comfort, pain, and support levels associated with the attachment during extended use?
• RQ3 What proportion of probands yield audible Doppler signals and usable Doppler curves with the setup?
• RQ4 Are there any skin irritations or safety concerns during use?

Key findings

• Audible Doppler signals achieved in 92.2% of probands.
• Doppler curve evaluation usable in 73.5% of probands.
• Average application duration was 31.19 minutes (SD 16.75).
• Pain rated 1.19 (SD 0.46) on a 1–10 scale.
• Comfort rated 6.52 (SD 1.78).
• Support rated 9.95 (SD 0.32).
• No skin irritations observed.