Adjustable Spine Traction Apparatus for Variable Patient Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable devices for treating spinal conditions in patients of varying sizes are not adaptable enough to accommodate different body dimensions, making it difficult for practitioners to effectively treat back pain through spinal tensioning and massage.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus that allows patients to kneel comfortably, with adjustable components for torso inclination, lateral movement, and adjustable knee and thigh supports, enabling practitioners to apply traction and massage effectively by adjusting the distance between knee and foot supports, and incorporating a ball joint for flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable device is designed for spinal treatment, then it can be worn by the patient during treatment, but it cannot accommodate patients of different sizes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable components including a telescopic radius arm that can be extended or retracted, and a ball joint that allows angular adjustment. These dynamic elements enable the apparatus to adapt to patients of varying sizes and anatomical proportions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: a knee support, an adjustable radius arm, a torso pad, and a foot plate. Each component can be independently adjusted or positioned, allowing customization for different patient sizes without requiring complete redesign of the entire device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the torso support is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot provide effective traction for patients of different spine lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The radius arm supporting the torso pad is made telescopic, allowing it to extend or retract to match different spine lengths. The ball joint provides angular adjustability to accommodate varying torso inclinations. These dynamic features enable effective traction customization while keeping the mechanical structure relatively straightforward.
3Ease of operation
If the knee support is placed directly on the floor, then the device structure is simple, but the patient's back is not within comfortable reach of the practitioner
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the knee support directly on the floor (one-dimensional contact), the device elevates the knee support above the floor level, creating vertical separation. This dimensional change allows the practitioner to access the patient's back at a comfortable working height while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of basic support legs.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus for spinal conditions comprising a knee support 10,12, a patient torso support 32,60 for supporting a patient in the kneeling position, means 32 for supporting a patient's torso in a range of inclinations below horizontal in order to cause a mass of the patient's torso to tension the spine. The torso support 32,60 is supported by a radius arm 50 that is pivoted below the torso support 32,60, is free to swivel about a fixed joint 52 located forward of, and below the level of, the knee support 10,12, and is inclined upwardly forwardly towards a ring pad support 60 for a patient's head.