Animal Harness with Integrated Compress for Rehabilitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Animals, especially dogs, face challenges with mobility and rehabilitation due to arthritis and post-surgical recovery, requiring effective application of cold or hot compresses and mobility assistance, but existing devices fail to provide secure and effective temperature exchange and support.
Innovation Solution
A reusable compress device and animal restraint system with a flexible silicone rubber housing and attachment members, such as harnesses, that securely fit irregularly shaped animal bodies, allowing for temperature exchange and mobility assistance, including hydrotherapy support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cold compress is applied to an animal's body, then swelling is reduced and therapeutic effect is improved, but the animal may move or detach the compress due to discomfort or lack of restraint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compress device with an animal restraint system into a single integrated apparatus. The compress is secured to the animal's body through straps and fastening mechanisms that are part of the same device, ensuring both therapeutic application and animal restraint simultaneously, thereby preventing detachment while maintaining treatment efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as straps, fasteners, and securing mechanisms that act as mediators between the compress and the animal's body. These intermediary elements ensure the compress remains in place during treatment without directly restricting the animal's movement in a harmful way, thus maintaining both therapeutic effect and animal comfort
2Reliability
If an animal is restrained during rehabilitation, then mobility assistance and treatment stability are improved, but the animal's comfort and ease of operation may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is designed to apply localized pressure and support only at specific anatomical points on the animal's body, rather than restricting the entire body. This allows the animal to maintain comfort in non-restrained areas while receiving stable support where treatment is applied, balancing restraint effectiveness with animal comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system incorporates adjustable and flexible components that can adapt to the animal's movements and body shape. The straps and fastening mechanisms allow for dynamic adjustment during treatment, maintaining appropriate restraint levels while accommodating the animal's natural movements, thus preserving both treatment stability and animal comfort
3Adaptability or versatility
If a harness is designed to fit irregularly shaped animal bodies, then adaptability and secure attachment are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harness is divided into multiple segmented components including adjustable straps, separate fastening points, and modular sections that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the harness to conform to irregular animal body shapes through simple adjustments of individual segments rather than requiring a complex custom-designed structure, thus achieving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device construction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively applies therapeutic temperatures and provides necessary support and restraint for animals during rehabilitation, enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing the risk of injury or detachment during use.
Implementation Method 1
a mesh layer or similarly thermally-conductive layer is provided between the compress and the animal's body to maximize heat transfer between the animal and the cold or hot compress
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for treating and rehabilitating animals are provided. The systems and methods include harnesses and related devices, including compresses and heating/icing devices. The devices further include and comprise features to enable the device to be contoured to and secured to an animal. Animals contemplated for use with devices and methods of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, canines and humans.