Ankle Brace Cable Tensioning for Coronal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ankle braces provide limited prevention of inversion and eversion, often restricting plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, leading to discomfort and impracticality for high-activity use, and lack customization options for individual preferences and activity levels.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic device with a motion control system that includes a footplate and upright support, featuring a tensioning element anchored to the footplate and guided through upper and lower anchors, allowing for controlled coronal plane motion while accommodating sagittal plane movements like plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, with adjustable tension for customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ankle brace is designed to provide better inversion/eversion control, then the prevention of inversion and eversion is improved, but plantar flexion and dorsiflexion are limited making the brace uncomfortable and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The brace employs a dynamic cable-tensioning system with adjustable tensioning elements that can be modified based on activity level. The cable system allows the brace to adapt its control characteristics dynamically, providing firm inversion/eversion prevention when needed while permitting natural sagittal plane motion during walking or athletic activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning elements include adjustable cables with varying tension levels that can be customized to match different activity requirements. By changing the tension parameter of the cables, the brace transitions between providing strong coronal plane control and allowing more freedom of motion, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ankle brace provides strong inversion/eversion control, then the stability is improved, but the comfort and natural motion are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The brace applies control forces locally through cable tensioning elements that are strategically positioned to target inversion/eversion motions. The upright support structure with cable attachments creates localized control zones that stabilize the ankle in the coronal plane while leaving the sagittal plane relatively unaffected, maintaining both stability and natural motion comfort.
3Reliability
If the ankle brace is designed for high activity levels, then the support for athletic events is improved, but the restriction of natural foot motion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable cable tensioning system allows the brace to be dynamically configured for different activity levels. During athletic events, the cables can be tightened to provide strong inversion/eversion prevention while the guide mechanisms ensure that sagittal plane motion remains relatively unrestricted, maintaining adaptability across different activity requirements.
4Reliability
If the ankle brace provides comprehensive motion control, then the injury prevention is improved, but the customization options are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The brace incorporates multiple adjustable parameters including cable tension levels, cable length, and tensioning element positioning. These parameters can be customized to match individual wearer preferences and specific injury rehabilitation requirements, allowing comprehensive motion control to be tailored to each user's needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic device includes a footplate defining opposing first and second sides and an upright support having a distal portion connected to the first side of the footplate. A motion control system controls movement of the second side of the footplate by anchoring at least one tensioning element to the second side of the footplate at a first guide while guiding the at least one tensioning element above the footplate through a second guide on an upper anchor element. The at least one tensioning element is arranged to allow movement of the second side of the footplate in a direction away from the upper anchor element until the at least one tensioning element becomes taut and to slide through the first and second guides when a proximal portion of the upright support moves toward and away from an anterior end of the footplate.