TALARMADE HeadUp HUCS User manual

Made with clinical excellence in mind
HeadUp Instruction Manual
Applicable to product codes: HUCS, HUCM, HUCL

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Intended Use
The HeadUp Collar is designed to provide supplementary head and neck Support for people with
head control issues or cervical muscular weakness.
Indications for Use
The HeadUp Collar is recommended for use by individuals experiencing any of the following
conditions:
•Head Drop
•Neuromuscular Torticollis
•Neck extensor muscular weakness
•Conditions requiring neck Support and improved alignment/control
Contraindications
The HeadUp Collar must not be used:
•for treatment of individuals with severe fixed deformity
•over open wounds that may come in to contact with the HeadUp Collar
Symbols Glossary
Consult instructions for use
Caution
Manufacturer
Date of Manufacture
Catalogue Number
Batch code
CE logo

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General Instructions
•The Instructions for Use must be read and understood before attempting to
use the device.
•Every component of the HeadUp is designed to be customised to the patients’ needs
and should not be used direct from the box without modification.
•It is recommended that the initial fitting of the HeadUp Collar and Support Struts must
be carried out by a qualified healthcare professional.
•Putting on and taking off the HeadUp Collar will be easier with a relative/carer assisting.
•All persons involved in the fitting and maintenance of this device must read
and understand the Instructions for Use prior to applying the HeadUp Collar and Support
Struts.
•Care should be taken to instruct the user and carer on the correct fitting
procedure as shown under “Fitting Instructions”.
•During the initial fitting the individual applying the HeadUp Collar should ensure that the
HeadUp Collar is fitted securely enough to provide postural head Support, but not lead to
discomfort or unexpected issues such as light-headedness.
•If any pressure points can be felt from the location of the HeadUp Support Struts,
adjust/reposition them slightly to alleviate the load on tissues.
•The HeadUp Collar should never dig in or cause pain. Consult your medical team if
this occurs.
•In the case of an emergency the HeadUp Collar should be removed prior to
performing CPR.
•For removal it is not required to detach the HeadUp Support Struts first.
•Visually check the HeadUp Collar before each use.
•Do not use if there is significant damage/deterioration of the HeadUp Support Struts
or HeadUp Snood.

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•The amount of Support provided by the HeadUp Support Struts will reduce over time.
When the Support Struts no longer provide the required amount of Support, they must be
replaced with new Support Struts following the fitting instructions.
•If in doubt, please refer to your medical team treating you for advice before using or
modifying the HeadUp Collar.
•If users have sensitive skin, a small proportion may experience minor irritation from
the HeadUp Collar material. Prior to fitting the HeadUp Support Struts, the HeadUp Collar
should be fitted to the user for a short period first, then removed and a visual inspection of
the area made to ensure no skin reaction has taken place.
•In the unlikely event that if while wearing the HeadUp Collar, that any of the following
issues are experienced: Discomfort / skin irritation / light-headedness – the HeadUp Collar
must be removed.
If symptoms do not resolve swiftly after its removal, contact your medical team treating you
for advice. If any continued symptoms are experienced following use of the HeadUp Collar,
please contact your medical team treating you.
•The HeadUp Collar and its Support Struts must not be brought into close proximity
or direct contact with any form of naked flame or electrical heating
•The HeadUp Collar is not recommended for use whilst smoking

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HeadUp Kit available sizes
Product
Code
Description Device
Identifier
HUC/S HeadUp Collar - Small 5055204340587
HUC/M HeadUp Collar - Medium 5055204324938
HUC/L HeadUp Collar - Large 5055204340594
Components Included
Fig. No. Description Quantity
Fig.1 HeadUp Snood 1
Fig.2 A-Frame – Support Strut, Medium (2mm thick) 1
Fig.3 A-Frame – Support Strut, Firm (3mm thick) 1
Fig.4 Z – Support Strut, Left Side, Medium (2mm thick) 1
Fig.5 Z – Support Strut, Right Side, Medium (2mm thick) 1
Fig.6 Z – Support Strut, Left Side, Firm (3mm thick) 1
Fig.7 Z – Support Strut, Right Side, Firm (3mm thick) 1
Fig.8 Standard 8mm – Support Strut, Medium (2mm thick) 2
Fig.9 Standard 8mm – Support Strut, Firm (3mm thick) 2
Fig.10 Wide 16mm – Support Strut, Medium (2mm thick) 2
Fig.11 Wide 16mm – Support Strut, Firm (3mm thick) 2
n/a HeadUp Component Pouch 1
n/a Cervical Extension Strap 1

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Fig.1
Fig. 2 / 3
Fig.4 / 6
Fig.5 / 7
Fig.8 / 9
Fig.10 / 11

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Fitting Instructions
Putting on and taking off the HeadUp Collar will be easier with an assistant; please ask
them to read the instructions for use in full first.
The HeadUp Collar must be fitted by an appropriately trained medical professional.
Each component of the HeadUp Collar must be customised or moulded to conform to the
patient’s body shape whilst delivering the required amount of Support/correction.
Applying the HeadUp Collar
•Step 1 – Select the appropriate size HeadUp Collar from the measurement chart in the
size guide.
•Step 2 – Heat the HeadUp Snood gently using a heat gun on a low setting (or a hair dryer
on medium/high) until the fabric HeadUp Snood is warm to touch.
Do not overheat.
•Step 3 – Apply the HeadUp Snood whilst it is warm aligning the chin of the patient with
the Chin section of the HeadUp Snood
•Step 4 – Mould the HeadUp Snood to the patient’s body shape with the head alignment
corrected by drawing the two edges of the HeadUp Snood posteriorly to wrap around the
back of the patients’ head/neck
•Step 5 - Secure the HeadUp Snood at the back of the neck/head securely by overlapping
the Micro Grip fastening onto the outside of the HeadUp Snood

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•Step 6 – The cervical extension strap can be added to the collar if the HeadUp snood
does not overlap around the occiput
(Fig 12 Cervical Extension strap)
•Step 7 – The HeadUp Snood can be trimmed with scissors to customise its fit. Apertures
can be cut into the collar for tracheotomies or for a carotid cannula
•Step 8 - The HeadUp Snood may require adjustments/modifications and repetition of
these processes to ensure an accurate and comfortable fit.
Do not leave the wearer of the HeadUp Collar after application without ensuring correct
fitment and user comfort.
If while wearing the HeadUp Collar any of the following issues are experienced:
Discomfort / skin irritation / light-headedness – the HeadUp Collar must be removed and
adjusted.
Applying the HeadUp Support Struts
•The HeadUp Collar comes with 4 different shape Support Struts in 2 different thicknesses
(Medium Support 2mm, Firm Support 3mm).
•Each Support Struts are directly attached to the HeadUp Snood using the Micro Grip
fastening adhered to the struts
•The HeadUp Support Struts should be applied to provide the appropriate level of Support
or correction needed for the activity being undertaken.
•The HeadUp Support Struts can be readjusted with heat to meet the changing needs of
the patient.
•The HeadUp Support Struts should be heated and moulded into shape as they are
applied (Using a heat gun on a low setting or a hairdryer on medium/high).

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•Heat should be applied to the smooth side of the Support Struts not the Micro Grip surface
•The HeadUp Support Struts should be moulded with gradual rather than acute curves.
examples of a gradual curves applied to the Support Struts
Do not shape the struts without heating them first.
Do not heat the HeadUp Support Struts whilst attached to the HeadUp Collar.
•The HeadUp Support Struts can be added/removed to provide different levels of
Support/protection as required by each patient.
•Different strut configurations may be required for different patient activities (eating,
drinking, driving).
The applied HeadUp Support Struts should never dig in or cause pain/discomfort. (If this
occurs reposition the Support Struts or heat Support Struts to shape of patient).
•The Support Struts can be used in multiple configurations based upon the patients’
needs/comfort (Guidance can be found in “HeadUp Support Strut Position Options” and
“Commonly Used Support Strut Configurations”)
The HeadUp Collar or its Support Struts must not be allowed close to or be brought into
contact with any form of naked flame or electrical heating element.
Do not overheat the HeadUp Support Struts. Overheating may weaken the Support Strut
and cause the Micro Grip to delaminate from the Support Strut.

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HeadUp Support Strut Position Options
•A-Frame Support Strut Placement: flex the heated Support Strut after whilst fitting it,
attaching under the chin and then gently attaching it down the neck to the chest/sternum
area.
•Z Support Strut Placement: Can either be used in addition to the “A Frame” or instead
of the “A Frame”. Can be positioned with the “corner” of the Z towards the chin, or with
the “corner” of the Z towards the ear. Can be used unilaterally. Position the Z-Support
Strut to sit flat against the jaw –the strut should be moulded and shaped by hand to
customise the shape and fit.

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•Standard and Wide Support Strut Placement: These can be used in addition to or
instead of the A frame or Z Support Struts. These straight struts can offer additional
lateral (side) Support, extra Support at the back, or can be used to make a modified “A
Frame” shape at the front. They need to be heat moulded to optimise Support and
comfort.
Commonly Used Support Strut Configurations
1. A-Frame Centre front to prevent head drop
2. A-Frame with single Z-Support Strut to resist head drop with rotation or side head tilt

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3. A-Frame with Z-Support Strut over shoulder and behind ear to address head drop with
significant side flexion
4. A-frame with bilateral mandibular Z-Support Struts to provide increased head lift whilst
limiting rotation and side flexion whilst reducing chin load.
5. Bilateral Z-Support Struts to resist head drop with reduced chin pressure (load transferred
to inferior mandible)

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6. Bilateral Wide Support Struts only to resist head drop
7. Bilateral Wide Support Struts with Bilateral mandibular Z-Support Strut placement for
increased resistance to head drop
8. Bilateral posterior placement of Standard Support Struts to limit cervical hyper extension

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Removing the HeadUp Collar
•Step 1 – Separate the hook and loop fastening closure at the back of the HeadUp Collar.
•Step 2 – Stretch apart the two free HeadUp Collar edges and draw the HeadUp Collar
forward while easing any Support Struts away from the head and neck.
•Step 3 – Move chin profile down and away from user’s chin to complete removal.
HeadUp Support Struts do not need to be removed unless for washing or fit modification.
For quick removal it is not necessary to detach the HeadUp Support Struts first.

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When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
The HeadUp Collar should be removed if any of the following issues are
experienced:
•Discomfort
•Skin irritation
•light-headedness
If any continued adverse symptoms are experienced following use of the HeadUp Collar, please
contact the medical team treating you.
Before making any change to the fit or Support level of the HeadUp Collar, ensure that you have
read in full HeadUp instructions for use. If in doubt, please refer to your medical team treating
you.
Care and Cleaning Instructions
•No specific maintenance of the HeadUp Collar is required.
•The user should visually inspect the integrity of the HeadUp Collar and its Support Struts
before each use.
Do not use if any damage is apparent – replacement parts can be purchased from the
Talarmade website.
•Periodically the HeadUp Collar assembly, which is worn next to the skin (Fig.1), will require
washing.
All HeadUp Support Struts (Fig.2-11) should be removed first.
Refer to the Fitting Instructions to re-apply the HeadUp Collar and Support Struts after
washing.
•If machine-washing the HeadUp Collar, use the “delicates” cycle setting at low temperature
(30 degrees Celsius) and a low spin speed. Leave to air dry.
•Do not use bleach.
•Do not tumble dry.
•Do not iron any part of the HeadUp Collar or the Support Struts.
•Do not machine wash the HeadUp Support Struts.
•If required, hand-wash Support Struts separately from the HeadUp Collar using lukewarm
water with a gentle detergent only and leave to air dry.

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HeadUp Kit Size Guide
Product Code
Description
(cm)
(inches)
Device Identifier
HUCS HeadUp Collar - Small 31-40.5 12-16” 5055204340587
HUCM HeadUp Collar - Medium 35-44 14-17” 5055204324938
HUCL HeadUp Collar - Large 40-49 16-19” 5055204340594
Neck Circumference

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Spare and Accessories
HeadUp Kit Components
Description Small (HUCS) Medium(HUCM)Large (HUCL)
HeadUp Snood HU-RFC/S HU-RFC/M HU-RFC/L
A Frame – Support Strut, Medium
(2mm thick)
HU-RAF/2S HU-RAF/2 HU-RAF/2L
A Frame – Support Strut, Firm
(3mm thick)
HU-RAF/3S HU-RAF/3 HU-RAF/3L
Z – Support Strut, Left Side,
Medium (2mm thick)
HU-RZS/2LS HU-RZS/2L HU-RZS/2LL
Z – Support Strut, Right Side,
Medium (2mm thick)
HU-RZS/2RS HU-RZS/2R HU-RZS/2RL
Z – Support Strut, Left Side, Firm
(3mm thick)
HU-RZS/3LS HU-RZS/3L HU-RZS/3LL
Z – Support Strut, Right Side,
Firm (3mm thick)
HU-RZS/3RS HU-RZS/3R HU-RZS/3RL
Standard 8mm – Support Strut,
Medium (2mm thick)
HU-RSS/2S HU-RSS/2 HU-RSS/2L
Standard 8mm – Support Strut,
Firm (3mm thick)
HU-RSS/3S HU-RSS/3 HU-RSS/3L
Wide 16mm – Support Strut,
Medium (2mm thick)
HU-RWS/2S HU-RWS/2 HU-RWS/2L
Wide 16mm – Support Strut, Firm
(3mm thick)
HU-RWS/3S HU-RWS/3 HU-RWS/3L
HeadUp Component Pouch HU-RFR HU-RFR HU-RFR
Cervical Extension Strap HU-EXTSTRAP/S HU-EXTSTRAP HU-EXTSTRAP/L

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Additional Guidance and Training
For additional guidance and training resources please visit www.talarmade.com
HeadUp Collar Fitting Instructions Video is available to view please scan the QR Code below:
Disposal
The disposal and recycling of used devices and packaging must comply with the applicable legal
regulation in each country.
Terms and Conditions
For terms and conditions please visit www.talarmade.com

Made with clinical excellence in mind
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