Adjustable Knee Hinge for Ligament Repair Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatment apparatuses for anterior cruciate ligament or achilles tendon ruptures fail to limit knee joint flexion, leading to excessive stretching of the healing ligaments or tendons, slow healing rates, and increased risk of re-rupture during activities like walking.
Innovation Solution
A non-surgical length-adjustable reduction exercise therapy apparatus featuring a thigh immobilization device, calf immobilization device, adjustable knee joint hinge, and adjustable boot heel, which allows for adjustable heel height and maintains the knee and ankle joints in a flexed position to prevent overstretching and promote healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If existing treatment apparatus elevates patient's heel, then heel height is increased, but knee joint flexion is not limited causing anterior cruciate ligament or achilles tendon to be stretched
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the knee joint hinge adjustable, allowing it to adapt to different rehabilitation stages. The hinge can be adjusted to maintain optimal knee flexion angles (30-90 degrees) during heel elevation, dynamically preventing tendon stretching while accommodating healing progression. This resolves the contradiction by adding dynamic angle adjustment capability to the static heel elevation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of knee joint angle through the adjustable hinge mechanism. By modifying the knee flexion angle parameter to remain within 30-90 degrees during heel elevation, the system prevents excessive stretching of the anterior cruciate ligament and achilles tendon. This parameter control resolves the contradiction between heel elevation and tendon stability.
2Ease of operation
If knee joint is kept straight during walking, then walking ability is maintained, but gastrocnemius muscle endlessly stretches the healing tendon causing elongation
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable knee joint hinge enables dynamic angle maintenance during walking activities. The hinge allows the knee to flex within the optimal 30-90 degree range while the patient walks, preventing the gastrocnemius muscle from endlessly stretching the healing tendon. This resolves the contradiction by enabling motion control that protects tendon length while maintaining mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The knee joint hinge provides preliminary anti-action by pre-establishing the flexed knee position before walking occurs. This preventive mechanism counteracts the stretching force of the gastrocnemius muscle before it can cause tendon elongation, allowing walking while protecting the healing tendon from excessive lengthening.
3Device complexity
If plantar flexion angle remains unchanged throughout rehabilitation, then apparatus structure is simple, but smooth growth and connection of tendon is hindered resulting in slow healing
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable knee joint hinge transforms the static plantar flexion angle into a dynamic, adjustable parameter. During rehabilitation, the hinge can be adjusted to optimize the plantar flexion angle at different healing stages, promoting smooth tendon growth and connection. This dynamic adjustment capability accelerates healing speed while adding manageable complexity to the apparatus structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a technical field of medical exercise apparatus. A non-surgical reduction exercise therapy apparatus for rupture of anterior cruciate ligament or achilles tendon includes a thigh immobilization device, a calf immobilization device, an adjustable knee joint hinge and a foot immobilization device, a boot heel being provided under a rear of the boot sole. The present disclosure has a reasonable and compact structure and is convenient to use, and also has characteristics of low treatment cost, no surgery, whole process activities, pleasant dance, no influence on work and study during treatment, and fast healing of the anterior cruciate ligament or achilles tendon.