Adjustable Ear Shaping Mechanism for Malformation-Specific Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ear orthopedic devices are not adjustable and fail to effectively address the uncertainty in malformed ear parts, leading to potential tissue compression and necrosis during treatment.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable ear shaping mechanism with a movable ear back support, adjustable helix and auricular concha formers, and a flexible base for customizable orthopedic treatment, reducing pressure intensity through surface contact and three-dimensional space traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed orthosis is used for ear orthopedics, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different malformed parts and may cause tissue compression and necrosis
Solution Approach 1:
The orthosis is divided into multiple independent components: a base, an ear back support, an auricular concha former, and a helix former. Each component can be independently adjusted and positioned to address specific malformed areas, allowing the device to adapt to various ear deformities without requiring a completely different structure for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The ear back support is designed to be movable relative to the base, enabling dynamic adjustment of its position according to the specific location of the malformation. This dynamic capability allows the same device to effectively treat different malformed parts by repositioning components rather than requiring multiple fixed designs.
2Reliability
If pressure is applied to correct ear malformation, then orthopedic effectiveness is improved, but tissue compression and necrosis may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Different components of the orthosis apply pressure to different local areas of the ear based on the specific malformation. The ear back support, auricular concha former, and helix former each target specific regions, distributing the corrective force locally rather than applying uniform pressure, which reduces the risk of tissue necrosis while maintaining orthopedic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable ear back support allows for dynamic adjustment of pressure distribution. By repositioning the support according to the malformation location, the device can apply appropriate pressure where needed while avoiding excessive compression on healthy tissue, thus balancing treatment effectiveness with tissue safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal ear shaper is used, then device complexity is reduced, but it cannot meet the orthopedic needs of different malformed parts
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows each component to be independently positioned and adjusted. The base provides a stable foundation, while the ear back support, auricular concha former, and helix former can each be separately configured to address specific malformed areas, making the device adaptable to various ear deformities while maintaining ease of operation through modular adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustable ear shaping mechanism of the present invention includes a base, an ear back support, and an upper cover. An opening is provided on the base, and the opening can allow an ear to pass therethrough. The ear back support is movably disposed in the opening, and supports an auricle from the back of the ear according to a part needing orthopedics. The upper cover is detachably connected to the base. An object-containing space is formed between the upper cover, the base, and the ear back support, and the ear is placed in the object-containing space. In a clinical use process, the ear back support may be disposed at a corresponding malformed part behind the ear according to a malformed part of the ear, the auricle is supported from the back of the ear, orthopedic requirements of different parts can be met, and clinical use is very convenient. In particular, due to a surface contact three-dimensional space traction orthopedic manner of an auricle former, not only a pressure intensity of a contact part is reduced, but also an intended aim of orthopedics can be achieved by a small force, so that clinical use is safer, and an orthopedic effect is better.