Ambidextrous Wrist Brace With Interchangeable Rigid Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wrist elastic braces are not versatile enough for use on both right and left wrists, leading to practicality and cost issues, and they provide inadequate stabilization and containment, especially for pathologies like fractures of the ulna and radius ends.
Innovation Solution
A wrist elastic brace with a symmetrical main body and interchangeable rigid inserts allows ambidextrous use, featuring a single hole for the thumb and adjustable inserts for proper joint stabilization, including an anatomical interaction element for thumb stabilization in case of fractures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wrist brace is designed with a symmetrical main body and two holes for ambidextrous use, then the versatility and adaptability improve, but the stabilization and containment action deteriorates due to exposed joint areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adaptability through interchangeable rigid inserts that can be configured in different positions and orientations. The inserts can be removed, repositioned, or replaced to optimize stabilization for either right or left wrist application, transforming a static symmetrical design into a dynamically adjustable system that maintains both versatility and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The brace is segmented into a flexible main body and separate rigid insert components. This segmentation allows the rigid stabilization elements to be independently positioned and configured within the flexible matrix, enabling the system to provide targeted support to the joint while maintaining ambidextrous compatibility through proper insert placement
2Reliability
If dedicated braces are manufactured for right and left wrists separately, then the stabilization and containment action improves, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single flexible main body that can accommodate both right and left wrist applications through the use of interchangeable rigid inserts. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated braces while maintaining effective stabilization, as the same base structure serves multiple purposes when combined with different insert configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes by allowing the rigid inserts to be positioned at different locations and orientations within the flexible main body. By changing the spatial parameters of the rigid elements rather than changing the entire brace structure, the system achieves wrist-specific customization without requiring multiple different brace designs
Data Source
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AI summary
An elastic brace comprising: a main body (2), made of elastic material that can be wound at least partially around a respective wrist articulation; at least one rigid insert (12) associated to the main body (2) to stiffen at least partially the main body (2) itself and to limit the movement of the wrist articulation; closing means (6) coupled to said main body (2) to engage in a stable manner said main body (2) to the wrist articulation; said rigid insert (12) being removably associable with the main body (2) in two operating configurations each of which corresponding to a respective use of the brace for the right wrist or the left wrist.