Adjustable Brace With Hinged Sections for Limb Swelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid casts cannot be adjusted to accommodate changes in limb size due to swelling or atrophy, leading to inadequate support as the patient's anatomy changes during healing.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable brace with hinged sections and releasable couplings that allow for independent adjustment of different regions to fit the changing size of the limb, ensuring proper support and protection throughout the healing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid cast is used to support the limb, then the limb is protected and immobilized, but the cast cannot be adjusted when the limb size changes due to swelling or atrophy
Solution Approach 1:
The cast is divided into multiple adjustable sections with independent adjustment mechanisms. Each section can be adjusted separately to accommodate changes in limb circumference, allowing the cast to adapt to swelling or atrophy while maintaining overall structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The cast incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the circumference and length of different sections to be modified after application. This enables the cast to adapt to changing limb dimensions throughout the healing process without requiring complete removal and replacement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable brace with multiple sections and mechanisms is used, then the adaptability to limb size changes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brace is segmented into modular sections that can be independently adjusted. Each section contains its own adjustment mechanism, allowing for localized adaptation without affecting the entire structure. This modular approach maintains manageability while providing comprehensive adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the brace have different adjustment capabilities tailored to the specific needs of each body region. Some sections may have circumferential adjustment, others length adjustment, and some both, optimizing the balance between adaptability and structural simplicity in each location.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustable sections with independent adjustment mechanisms are incorporated, then the ability to accommodate changing limb dimensions is improved, but the weight of the brace increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brace uses multiple lightweight adjustment mechanisms distributed throughout the structure rather than one large heavy mechanism. Each section has its own simple adjustment feature, allowing precise fit customization while keeping the overall weight manageable through distributed, minimalistic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanisms change physical parameters (circumference, length) of the brace sections through simple mechanical means such as sliding, telescoping, or expanding elements. These mechanisms provide significant size adjustment capability with minimal added weight by utilizing the brace's own structural components.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustable brace includes a support surface for supporting one surface of a patient and an adjustable portion that allow the cross section of the brace to be adjusted. When a limb is injured, a patient may have a swollen limb and the adjustable brace can be set to a large cross section. As the limb heals, the swelling decreases and the limb cross section also decreases due to atrophy. An adjustable coupling can be used reduce the cross section to properly fit the limb of the patient during the healing process.