Adjustable Arm and Shoulder Support for Stroke Rehabilitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current arm support systems for stroke patients are inadequate in providing comfortable, intuitive, and effective solutions for preventing shoulder subluxation, as they often cause discomfort, skin irritation, and limited mobility, failing to maintain proper arm alignment and dynamic support during various activities.
Innovation Solution
A novel arm and shoulder support system featuring an adjustable belt and arm cuff that cradles the arm at the elbow, with a posterior assist band to minimize internal humeral rotation, and a contoured belt with a moldable metal stay for secure attachment, allowing for natural arm swing and dynamic positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional slings and arm support systems are used to stabilize the shoulder complex, then shoulder support is provided, but they cause discomfort, skin irritation, and limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple independent components: a wearable body portion (belt or vest), separate arm supports with cuffs, and adjustable straps. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without causing concentrated pressure points, thereby maintaining shoulder support effectiveness while reducing discomfort and skin irritation compared to traditional single-piece slings.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm supports feature contoured designs with padded contact surfaces that match the specific anatomy of the arm and shoulder regions. The body portion includes distributed adjustment points and ergonomic shaping. This local quality optimization ensures support is applied precisely where needed while distributing pressure away from sensitive areas, resolving the contradiction between reliable support and comfort.
2Reliability
If traditional arm support systems are used, then some shoulder stabilization is achieved, but they fail to maintain proper arm alignment and dynamic support during various activities
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates multiple adjustable components including可调节 straps, movable cuffs, and flexible connection points that allow the arm supports to adapt to different arm positions and patient movements. This dynamic adjustability maintains proper arm alignment and shoulder stabilization during various activities while providing the versatility needed for different rehabilitation stages and patient needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable body portion can be configured in multiple ways (belt or vest options, various strap configurations) to accommodate different patient needs and activity levels. The arm supports can be adjusted to provide different degrees of restriction or freedom depending on the rehabilitation stage, making the system universally applicable across various activities and patient conditions while maintaining reliable shoulder stabilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable components are added to improve comfort and positioning, then adaptability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable straps and cuffs serve multiple functions: they provide secure attachment, enable position adjustment, and allow for customization to patient anatomy. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby increasing adaptability while limiting the growth of device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the body portion, arm supports, and adjustment mechanisms into an integrated wearable assembly. The adjustable components are merged with the structural elements rather than being separate add-on parts, which streamlines the overall device complexity while maintaining the adaptability needed for comfortable and effective positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A contouring arm and shoulder support is provided that is secured to a supporting and stabilizing belt. The support system comprises a belt support and an arm support that are operatively interconnected and yet easily disassociated. The arm support provides dynamic support that allows the patient to move their injured arm if needed.