Halo (medicine)

A halo, also known as a halo ring, halo vest or halo crown, is a cervical brace used to immobilise cervical fractures and aid healing of spinal injuries. Halo is used to stabilize the cervical spine following fracture or dislocation. Halo allows one of the smallest cervical motion of all the cervical braces currently in use. First developed by Dr. Vernon L. Nickels at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in 1955. It was later improved by several companies including PMT Corporation, located in Chanhassen, Minnesota and Bremer Medical Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida.